Chinese Minister of Human Resources and Social Security Yin Weimin receives an interview before the meeting, March 8, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

China sets target to create 11 million urban jobs

By Hou Liqiang

The Chinese government aims to create at least 11 million jobs in urban areas this year.

The target, announced today by Yin Weimin, minister of human resources and social security, comes as an estimated 15 million workers are expected to enter the job market in urban areas.

Among them will be 7.95 million college graduates and more than 3 million rural laborers, Yin said, adding that the challenge comes not only from the large influx, but also from an unbalanced labor structure.

He explained that there is a shortage of high-skilled labors, while it is difficult for elderly workers without skills to find a job.

The central government will encourage entrepreneurship and step up efforts to promote vocational training, Yin said, adding that one aim will be to find employment for at least one member of each family currently out of work.

Last year, China created 13.14 million jobs for urban residents. The registered unemployment rate in urban areas was 4.02 percent, almost 0.5 percentage points lower than the government's target for 2016.