BEIJING - China's central government on Wednesday outlined measures to help college graduates in their job hunts amid a grave employment situation this year.

According to a statement released after a State Council meeting presided over by Premier Li Keqiang, about 6.99 million college students will graduate this year, adding pressure to the employment situation.

The meeting called for efforts to help college graduates find employment, a matter that concerns economic development, the improvement of people's livelihoods and social stability.

The State Council, China's cabinet, called for the implementation of existing policies favorable to graduates' employment, broadened ways and increased job vacancies, and for guiding graduates to seek jobs in small and mid-sized enterprises, private businesses and at the grassroots level.

The central government also encouraged graduates to turn toward self-employment and start their own businesses, promising to provide training subsidies, petty loans, tax breaks and other incentives.

Employment services should also be improved, according to the statement, which added that graduates from low-income families will be assisted with financial aid.

The State Council also stressed promoting equality in employment through openness and transparency and strictly preventing discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, disability or other factors.