A Seminar on the Development of Social Security in China and Germany  was held in the Library and the Pavilion of Chinese Classics in Renmin University on April 14. The seminar marked the launch of the Exhibition on the Illustrated History of Social Security in Germany. With vivid pictures, abundant historical records, the exhibition shows the  social transformation of Germany since the Middle Ages, especially the preparation, appearance, development and reform of  social security. The launch was endorsed by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs in Germany, and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Beijing. It was a high-profile event set up by the Freidrich-Ebert-Stiftung of Germany and the Social Security Research Center in RUC. Before the opening ceremony, President Chen Yulu met with distinguished guests from both China and Germany. He introduced them to RUC and discussed its influence in the study of social security, both in China and internationally. In his welcoming speech, President Chen observed that Germany is not only one of the most important countries in the world, but also an outstanding representative of developed science and technology and developed social civilization. President Chen said that the development of social insurance in Germany 130 years ago propelled a major step of the evolution of human society. The modern institution of social security is one of the remarkable contributions Germany has made to the world, he said. President Chen also said that the exhibition was also a great mirror, which could encourage Chinese people facing new problems and challenges by offering an understanding of the development of German society. Renmin University of China would regard the exhibition as an opportunity to make contribution to propel the social and cultural communication between China and Germany. Mr. Jörg Asmussen, Germany’s deputy minister of labor, spoke expressing his congratulations for the exhibition. He introduced the origin of the German social security and its zigzag development during the past 100 years. He said that it was the responsibiltiy of China and Germany to constantly improve their social security institution by reforms. It was also significant to the communication between China and Germany in the social security area. On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, Asmussen thanked Professor Zheng Chenggong for his crucial contributions to communication between China and Germany in social security, and for organizing this exhibition. Professor Zheng then introduced the background of this exhibition. He said that the emergence of social security institution was capitalism’s boundary between  uncivilized and civilized ages.  So, Zheng said, the social history of Germany became the epitome of the development of human industrial civilization. Shared responsibility, mutual aid and harmony between labor and business became hallmarks of the German model of social security. Organizing the exhibition was a way to help Chinese social security find avenues of development as it moves to maturity, and draw from aspects of the German model, Zheng said. After the opening ceremony, conference delegates visited the exhibition in the lobby of the library. The Exhibition on the Illustrated History of Social Security in Germany was first put on display in 1987. It has been held in Germany, the Netherlands and Japan over 40 times. This exhibition in RUC is an important event for  international communication and cooperation.  The exhibition showcases the social transformation of Germany and all aspects of German social security with more than two hundred pictures and articles. The exhibit will be on display at RUC from April 14 to April 30. It will then move to locations in Shanghai, Chengdu and Guangzhou.