BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- China's labor unions had played an irreplaceable and unique role in boosting stable economic development and employment stability, Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping said here Thursday.

The Chinese government attached great importance to the role of labor unions in China's economic and political arenas and supported labor unions to better safeguard workers' legitimate rights and interests, Xi said.

Xi made the remarks in his speech at the opening ceremony of an international forum on economic globalization and trade unions in Beijing.

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping addresses the opening ceremony of an international forum on economic globalization and trade unions in Beijing, China, Feb. 25, 2010

As a developing country with 1.3 billion people, China should take both its industrialization and creating enough jobs for people into consideration and make comprehensive and balanced plans, Xi said.