Social security is mandatory by the state

Social insurance is mandatory. The employer shall apply for social insurance registration with the social insurance agency for its employees within thirty days from the date of employment. If it fails to register for social insurance, the social insurance agency shall approve the social insurance premiums it should pay.

Legal basis:

Article 72 of the Labor Law of the People's Republic of China (PRC) states that the social insurance fund shall determine its source of funding according to the type of insurance, and shall gradually implement social coordination. Employers and workers must participate in social insurance and pay social insurance premiums in accordance with the law.

Article 58 of the Social Insurance Law of the People's Republic of China*** and of the State of China states that employers shall, within thirty days from the date of employment, apply to a social insurance agency for social insurance registration for their workers. If it fails to register for social insurance, the social insurance agency shall approve the social insurance premiums it shall pay. Individual entrepreneurs without employees who voluntarily participate in social insurance, part-time workers who do not participate in social insurance with their employers, and other flexibly employed persons shall apply for social insurance registration with the social insurance administration organization. The State establishes a nationally unified individual social security number. Individual social security numbers are citizens' identity numbers.