A/HRC/11/25* groups. Currently, 850 million peasants have joined the new collective medical security system and have been incorporated into the system of subsistence allowance. It is planned to put in place by 2020 a social security system which will cover all the inhabitants in China. The household registration system is undergoing reform and currently 13 provinces including Hebei and Liaoning have started to reform their system by removing the division between agricultural households and non-agricultural households. 109. China has put in place a proactive employment policy and trying to create opportunities for employment. In 2008, 769 million people were employed and registered unemployment rate in cities is about 4.2 per cent. China is trying to remove discrimination to ensure the equal treatment and employment for women, taking measures to assist disabled people and migrant workers to find jobs. Chinese law does not prohibit strikes. If a strike occurs, the local government will try to mediate between the trade unions, enterprises and striking workers to find a solution to the problem. The Chinese constitution and the trade union law provide that the workers are entitled to organize and join trade unions and carry out activities entirely free. 110. China has put in place a minor compulsory educational system thus achieving ahead of the schedule targets in MDG on universal primary education. It started amending the law and in process of drafting a mid-term and long-term educational reform programme for 2020. Study subsidies, scholarships and other means of financial help are available to help students with economic difficulties, including special assistance funds for the education of ethnic minorities. From 2003 to 2007, the national fiscal expense on education has increased by 18.85 per cent annually, and increased by 30.43 per cent in 2007. 111. In the preparation of the national report nearly 20 NGOs were invited to provide material and information, meetings for NGOs and academia were organised to discuss the content of the report, and views from the public and the grassroots’ organisations were solicited on the internet. 112. Concerning the illegal immigrants and protection of refugees and the policies practiced the delegation noted that China has acceded to the 1951 Convention on the Status of Refugees and its Additional Protocol. It followed the principle of non-refoulement in accordance with the convention. Since 1978, China has provided effective refuge for 300,000 refugees from Indochina. China is working on refugee legislation which will clarify further the screening procedures for refugees. Some people who illegally entered China because of economic reasons are not “refugees”, but illegal immigrants. With regard to illegal immigrants, China has always handled properly specific cases. 113. The delegation thanked for a highly constructive dialogue. It appreciated that many countries spoke positively of China’s efforts and achievements made in the field of human rights, and that they also showed their understanding of the difficulties and challenges confronting China. China also noted with regret that there were a few countries like Australia, which made some ill-founded comments on Tibet. China categorically rejects this attempt to politicise the issue. The Chinese Government is firmly committed to promotion and protection of human rights and looks forward to enhance cooperation and exchanges with all countries on the basis of equality and mutual respect to advance the cause of human rights. II. Conclusions and/or recommendations 114. The recommendations formulated during the interactive dialogue have been examined by China and the recommendations listed below enjoy the support of China: 26 GE. 09-16299