High-quality employment a priority for socioeconomic development

China is ramping up efforts to boost high-quality employment growth by developing more new professions, encouraging entrepreneurship and skills education, and tightening supervision of the human resources market to secure a fairer, healthier working environment for people.

Li Zhong, vice-minister of human resources and social security, said at a news conference in Beijing on Tuesday that high-quality employment is a priority of the nation's socioeconomic development, and authorities must give more support to industries and companies that are better suited to create job opportunities.

He said authorities need to establish a forecast mechanism for human resources demands based on technological and industrial advancement and regularly publish information about professions or occupations in urgent demand to relieve the current structural imbalance between labor force supply and employers' needs.

Li said the employment of young people, which requires systematic policy and financial support and the provision of smoother career promotion channels, remains a top priority for the ministry.

Senior officials have also attached importance to skills education and training, another important incubator of job opportunities.

Ministry spokesman Lu Aihong cited the outstanding performance of young Chinese at the recent WorldSkills competition while explaining the positive role of skills in realizing self-worth and boosting employment. The competition was held in Lyon, France, from Sept 10 to 15.

"It's the seventh time China sent a delegation to compete in the WorldSkills, which is recognized as the Olympics of skills," he said. "The 68 young people from China won 36 golds, nine silvers and four bronzes, showing the world their superior skills and upbeat spirits."

Lu said 283 young Chinese have competed at WorldSkills since 2010, and the honors they have won have given them more space for self-growth and more job opportunities.

"Many of these candidates and medal winners have devoted themselves to passing down skills, becoming good examples for the young generation," he added.

Li, the vice-minister, said the ministry will further optimize job services to ensure that people looking for work get fairer, easier access to more professional job-seeking guidance and services. He added that the ministry will also offer more support to entrepreneurs to help them start businesses.

"Also, we will continue to perfect the labor or working regulations and expand social security coverage to protect people's working rights," he said. "Improper or illegal behavior, including job discrimination, salary arrears or unreasonable layoffs, will be cracked down upon to ensure the stability and health of the job market."