China will step up efforts to stabilize employment in 2026, said the head of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS) at a press conference on Saturday.
Last year, China's top political advisory body issued policy guidance known as the "four stabilities", directing relevant ministries and departments to seek stabilization in the areas of jobs, firms, markets and expectations.
In response, the MOHRSS has implemented an employment-first strategy. According to Minister Wang Xiaoping, speaking at a presser on the sidelines of the ongoing fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress in Beijing, the ministry will continue that strategy.
"We will further implement the employment-first strategy and requirements of the 'four stabilities', strengthen guidance, expand channels and prioritize key groups to make new progress in high-quality full employment," she said.
"In terms of 'stabilizing jobs', we will increase support for labor-intensive industries such as foreign trade, construction, accommodation and catering, with the aim of stabilizing employment positions while promoting the development of these sectors. In terms of 'expanding capacity', we will actively tap the employment potential in fields such as the digital economy, high-end manufacturing and modern services to achieve job growth alongside industrial upgrading. In terms of 'improving quality', we will effectively implement the adjustment mechanism for minimum wage standards, regulate the human resources market order, and fully enforce the guarantee system guaranteeing for migrant workers' wage payments, thereby elevating employment quality through strengthened rights protection," she said.
She noted that specific measures will be introduced to assist the upcoming wave of graduates.
"The number of college graduates in China is expected to reach 12.7 million this year. We will further improve policy measures, fully tap the employment potential of various channels and fields, expand employment space at the grassroots level, and help young people display their talents in all walks of life," she said.
China to boost employment with targeted measures: minister
Institutional opening-up, a key topic at this year's two sessions and in the 15th Five-Year Plan, is fundamentally about establishing long-term effectiveness through systematic, nationwide efforts rather than fragmented, short-term actions, said a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) on Friday in Beijing.
The "two sessions", a major event in China's political calendar, refer to the annual meetings of China's top legislature, the National People's Congress (NPC), and the top political advisory body, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
Peng Shou, also an academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering, explained that by developing comprehensive pilot frameworks in free trade zones like Shanghai and the Hainan Free Trade Port, China is transforming fragmented policies into cohesive systems, such as addressing processing VAT to boost high-tech industries; and exploring the expansion of models like negative lists and digital infrastructure to create a more transparent and predictable environment for global partners.
"I believe that a system is about long-term effectiveness, it's not a short-term move, and not fragmented. It's not about handling isolated cases, but about involving everyone, the whole society," said Peng.
China has built a series of comprehensive testing grounds for institutional openness.
With 22 free trade zones covering the entire country, a full-scale pilot framework has been established. Especially in free trade zones like Shanghai and the Hainan Free Trade Port, China has launched over 110 innovative, integrated pilot measures.
"Turning previous fragmented small policies into a systematic framework is key. For example, the issue of processing and value-added tax is well addressed. By incorporating processing technologies and adding value, it drives the development of high-tech industries," said Peng.
Such models could also be promoted in other regions.
Peng also said that the Hainan Free Trade Port's special customs operations can be used as a great example.
"We may apply this negative list model to some cities or development zones. Additionally, we can focus on digital infrastructure, using AI and digital technology as a foundation in cities like Beijing and Shanghai," he said.
At its core, institutional opening-up is not just about aligning with global standards; it's about creating a more open, transparent, and predictable environment that attracts global partners, according to Peng.
By embracing this new model, China is not only enhancing its position in the global market but also reshaping its own economic future, he added.
NPC deputy emphasizes long-term, systematic impact of institutional opening-up strategies
