Résumé

This paper aims to draw lessons that may help address issues of fragmentation in welfare systems in China and other countries. To do so it reviews how Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK), and Taiwan, Province of China, established their welfare systems. In particular, it examines how they dealt with fragmentation in government provision of welfare benefits and social services in the areas of primary health care and medical insurance, compulsory education, social assistance and basic pension programs.