Beijing's medical insurance system will extend to more residents, school students and preschool children over the next 5 years.

The medical insurance system is firmly established, but the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Labour and Social Security said more than 3 million people are still not covered. The uninsured city residents largely consist of students and preschool children, though a portion of adults are also outside the system.

Bureau Vice-Director Song Fengjing said the department will solicit the public's opinion on how to expand the medical insurance system before drafting the relevant policies.

A new pension scheme is also expected to be introduced by the end of the year.

A Bureau official said retirees will receive more pension payments if they give the government more money for longer periods of time during their working life. Pension payments will also be linked to salaries under the new plan.

The Bureau is planning a number of other social security programs, like creating 600,000 new jobs in residential communities, boosting rest home services and doubling pension coverage to 60 percent in rural area.

(CRI October 17, 2006)