China aims to cultivate a first-class industrial workforce with a view to providing strong talent and skill support for the building of a great country, and for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese modernization.
Through deepening reforms in the building of its industrial workforce, the country aims to foster approximately 2,000 national-level master artisans, 10,000 provincial-level master artisans and 50,000 city-level master artisans who are highly knowledgeable and have high levels of technical and innovative skills by 2035, according to a set of guidelines issued by the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council.
To adapt to the needs of new industrialization, the country will promote modern vocational education, increase efforts to foster talent with comprehensive technical skills, and refine the lifelong vocational skills training system for industrial workers, aiming to cultivate urgently needed talent for the development of new quality productive forces and the promotion of high-quality development, according to the guidelines.
The country will promote continuing education projects for industrial workers by encouraging more colleges and universities to establish classes and advanced training courses for craftspeople, model workers and technical talent.
The world's second-largest economy will also encourage manufacturing enterprises to implement fundamental industrial skills training projects for workers and offer support plans for talent.
Efforts will also be made to attract more young people to join the ranks of industrial workers through strengthened policy support and employment-related services, and through the establishment of match-making platforms for colleges and companies.
The country will also strengthen skills training for migrant workers and help them integrate into cities more effectively by easing policies related to their permanent urban residency registration, helping migrant workers gain equal access to basic urban public services, according to the guidelines.
China aims to cultivate about 62,000 master artisans by 2035
The island-wide special customs operations in China's Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) have boosted trade and industrial development, said an official of the Ministry of Finance on Friday.
Speaking at a press conference in Beijing, Wu Jingfang, deputy head of the Tariff Department of the Ministry of Finance, briefed the reporters on results of the special customs operations in Hainan.
"Imported zero-tariff goods are exempt from import duties, value-added tax, and consumption tax, significantly reducing import costs for businesses and promoting greater liberalization and facilitation of trade in goods. Since the launch of island-wide special customs operations [on Dec. 18 last year], the value of imported zero-tariff goods reached 857 million yuan by January 27, a year-on-year increase of 2.43 times, encompassing various industries including chemicals, mineral product manufacturing, and medical care. Tariff exemptions totaled 129 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 2 times. Over 10,000 enterprises applied for enjoying benefits from the zero-tariff policy, and more than 5,700 new foreign trade enterprises completed registration in Hainan. Looking ahead, there is still significant potential for further expanding the import of zero-tariff goods," said Wu.
On Dec. 18, 2025, China launched island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan FTP, the world's largest FTP by area, allowing freer entry of overseas goods, expanding zero-tariff coverage, and introducing more business-friendly measures.
Officials describe the special customs system as offering "freer access at the first line," referring to freer trade between Hainan and areas outside China's customs borders, and "regulated access at the second line," which involves applying standard customs controls for goods moving from Hainan to the mainland.
The share of zero-tariff products in the Hainan FTP has been raised from 21 to 74 percent, expanding the list of related items from 1,900 to over 6,600.
Zero-tariff goods processed in Hainan may be sold to the mainland duty-free if their local processing generated an added value of 30 percent or more.
Hainan's special customs operations boost trade, industrial development: official
