CHONGQING — There are 208,000 certified social workers in China, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said on Oct 22.

Li Liguo, minister of civil affairs, who was speaking at a conference in Chongqing, southwest China, said China had more than 3,000 non-government social service organizations.

The country has shifted focus to social services to maintain social harmony. To this end, the central government aims to employ over 1 million social workers by 2020.

Li said China had been increasing investment in social and community services, which are mainly funded by the government, with some private investment.