China's job market stable in H1, 6.95 million new urban jobs added

China added 6.95 million new urban jobs in the first half of this year, while the surveyed urban unemployment rate averaged 5.2 percent, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security said on Wednesday, adding that the employment situation has remained generally stable.

The ministry has stepped up a large-scale vocational skills training drive, working with industry departments and mass organizations to roll out targeted programs in artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, new energy vehicles, health and elderly care services, and the low-altitude economy. More than 5.5 million subsidized training opportunities were provided in the first half of the year.

According to the ministry, about 4.82 million people obtained vocational qualifications or skill level certificates in the first half of 2026.

Public employment services were also upgraded, with a month-long online recruitment campaign for internet companies among the measures aimed at improving service quality and efficiency.

A provisional regulation on basic rights protection for overage workers came into force on July 1, while protections for workers in new forms of employment were being strengthened, according to the ministry.

The ministry stated that it was also paying close attention to wage arrears in government and State-owned enterprises.