China launched a week-long national campaign on Monday to raise public awareness of the new Social Insurance Law.

The law, which was adopted by China's top legislature last October, took effect on July 1 this year.

The law aims to prevent improper use of social security funds and ensure that all citizens have the access to social insurance benefits.

Efforts should be made to promote the awareness of the law among the public, so that they can better use the law to safeguard their legitimate rights and interests, said top legislator Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), in his written instruction to the launching ceremony.

Employers should also be told to raise their awareness and better abide by the law, the instruction said.

The social insurance system is a crucial part of the country's social security net, and the Social Insurance Law has established a social insurance system which encompasses the old-age pension, basic medical care insurance, work-related injury insurance, unemployment insurance as well as maternity allowances, said Hua Jianmin, vice chairman of the NPC Standing Committee.

The law also stipulates the administrative system for the social insurance and the government agencies' responsibilities in the financing of the social insurance premium, Hua said.

The promotion campaign should help to increase the understanding of the law among both the officials and the public, he said.

Hua also called on the national and local congress bodies to intensify supervision and inspections of how the law is being implemented.

(Xinhua News Agency July 4, 2011)