After more than two years of efforts, the faculty of the Department of Public Administration, China University of Labor Relations, has completed the treatise National Labor Relations under the Belt and Road Initiative based on previous research. Currently, it has been published by China Workers' Press.  

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is China's major strategy for national development. Since its inception six years ago, fruitful results have been made. China has signed over 140 cooperation agreements with countries and international organizations along the way. And Italy, one of the G7 countries, has also taken the lead in establishing cooperation ties with China. In the future, more countries will participate in construction of BRI.

BRI’s success is based on understanding of the basic national conditions of countries along the way, which requires the contributions and in-depth research of experts and scholars from different fields. The basic state of labor relations and its coordination mechanism are one of the key aspects. At the same time, BRI is not simply a "going out" strategy. The experience and practices of countries along the way are of great significance for us as well. Based on this, we have written National Labor Relations under the Belt and Road Initiative.

As a specialized agency dealing with international labor affairs, the International Labor Organization (ILO) plays an important leading role in the establishment of relevant standards and mechanisms on labor relations. In the book, we have a separate chapter on ILO's labor relations coordination mechanism. There are many countries along the route, so we have focused on countries with relatively mature labor relations mechanism and larger trade volume with China, such as Singapore in AESAN, Russia in CIS, Hungary in central and eastern Europe, and Italy in southern Europe (already signed agreement). In addition, based on the future extension and the trade volume with China, we have selected Germany, France, Spain and Portugal in the EU, Japan and South Korea in Asia and Australia from China's major trading partners.

This book is a collective work. The division for each chapter is as follows: Liu Wenjun is responsible for the labor relations coordination mechanism of the International Labor Organization; For different country's research, Li Xingguo is in charge of Russia, Lu Yin is in charge of Hungary, Wang Yi is in charge of Italy, Zhou Sunming and Du Yinzhe are in charge of Singapore, Zhao Zuping is in charge of France and Germany, Zhang Shanzhu is in charge of Portugal, Chi Zhenhe is in charge of Spain, Yang Hongxiao is in charge of Japan, South Korea and Australia.

Because the labor relations in different countries vary distinctively, our research follows the below logic: first, the basic framework of labor relations in various countries, which determines what subjects are functioning in labor relations, and to what extent and in what ways they are functioning. And these reflect the general conditions and features of the countries’ labor relations. Second, the role and internal structure of the political, labor and capital sectors, mainly expounding the role of the three sectors in labor relations; which government bodies are involved and how they are involved; the respective roles and composition of labor and capital, and the affiliated important organizations. Third, relevant laws and regulations. To what extent does the state intervene in labor relations; the legal framework and its main contents are illustrated. Fourth, the framework of collective negotiation. What qualifications should the subject of collective negotiation have; who is involved in the negotiations; what are the important levels of collective negotiation; what is the main role of these levels. Fifth, reasons of changes in recent years, mainly discussing the impact on various countries' labor relations framework, the impact on the membership rate, structure and rights of labor and capital parties, the impact on the positions of all subjects, and the impact on the level and content of collective negotiation from economic structural changes brought by globalization and financial crisis.

In terms of research methods, this book mainly adopts literature research method, focusing on collecting relevant data and legal provisions in various countries in the field of labor relations. With main research domain in English literature, this book strives to reflect the latest data, laws and changes in the field of labor relations in various countries.

The publication of this book is conducive to promoting the study of labor relations in the countries along BRI, and provides reference for government decision and enterprise investment.

As a research work on labor relations coordination mechanism of countries along BRI, this book may inevitably have some shortcomings, we welcome experts and scholars in various fields to put in your precious opinion and advice!