2. Notes the competition between different social systems resulting from the opening up of the world market; notes a rise in the level of informal work in urban areas as well as violations of the principles of decent work despite the existence of a legislative framework governing employment conditions; notes that, although the opening up of the Chinese economy has brought major benefits such as better access to the employment market and a fall in rural unemployment, not all segments of the Chinese population have equally benefited from the economic growth and there are large disparities emerging between urban and rural parts of the cou ...[+++]ntry; points out that inequalities in incomes, access to employment, social welfare, health and education between the urban and rural populations constitute a significant cohesion policy challenge for China;

The Programme should, where relevant, take account of the territorial dimension of unemployment, poverty and social exclusion, and especially of the increasing inequalities that exist within and between regions, between rural areas and cities and within cities.

I also believe that rural unemployment should be resolved by offering opportunities for diversification and for new sources of income.

Rural areas may have to deal with other specific issues such as peri-urban pressure, unemployment, remoteness or low population density.

There are twin problems that still remain for many regions in Europe: firstly, the lack of adequate infrastructure in terms of road, water treatment facilities and related transport networks; secondly, the need to put in place initiatives to combat youth and long-term unemployment, which is a constant social problem in many urban and rural parts of Europe.

The programme measures aim to increase business competitiveness and economic growth and the creation of new jobs and businesses, reduce unemployment and slow down the depopulation of rural areas and of the regions as a whole.