Summaries Through comparisons of the composition of welfare provision in different countries and regions, this article shows how welfare systems are determined by different natural and cultural conditions, and argues that no ‘best’ welfare model exists for all nations. A discussion of different models illustrates the distinction between social welfare and occupational benefits, a distinction which has often been confused in China. The article points out that residual social welfare proves more flexible in adjusting to the challenges of globalisation while occupational benefits may represent a new form of protection, of benefit to the few, in the context of cross‐border competition. Trends in welfare reform are likely to lead to a gradual reduction of nation‐specific institutional welfare systems and a rapid increase in residual welfare, with occupational benefits also playing a greater role.