Wall Street Journal: 

Thank you very much. I'd like to ask a question about the high unemployment rate among youth in China today, specifically as it relates to the education system. My question specifically is, to what extent do you view the unemployment rate of more than 20% among youth in China today as a reflection of any weakness, for example, in the higher education system in China today? Are the graduates of Chinese universities being equipped with the skills they need to enter the workforce? In what areas could you improve this? Thank you very much.

Huai Jinpeng:

Thank you for raising such significant questions. We have also monitored this issue and plan to make more efforts accordingly. I'd like to invite Mr. Deng to provide more information.

Deng Chuanhuai:

College graduates are invaluable talent resources for both the Party and the nation. In 2023, the number of college graduates in China reached 11.58 million. The MOE has steadfastly carried out the directives and requirements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. It has spared no effort to launch the campaign promoting employment and entrepreneurship among college graduates and expediting employment promotion work. The campaign can be summarized in the following six aspects.

First, the MOE has worked to explore channels for creating jobs. Under the guidance of the MOE, universities have built targeted connections with enterprises and expanded channels for employment in a bid to explore more job opportunities. The MOE has also launched campaigns that bring tens of thousands of enterprises onto university campuses, aiming to ensure the ongoing success of campus recruitment activities, encourage more graduates to participate, and further effectively bridge the gap between job supply and demand in the market.

Second, the MOE has worked to expedite the recruitment process. The MOE has worked with related government bodies to speed up the hiring process for policy-backed positions within government departments, public institutions, and state-owned enterprises. The MOE has launched a group of programs targeting primary-level jobs. This includes the special job program enabling college graduates to serve as teachers in rural compulsory education schools; the program encouraging college graduates to pursue careers in rural agricultural, educational, medical and poverty alleviation sectors; the program engaging college graduates to volunteer for primary-level positions in western regions; and the program offering college graduates community-level positions. In collaboration with healthcare authorities, the MOE also initiated a special program enabling college graduates to serve as medical workers in rural areas.

Third, the MOE has made efforts to communicate and implement its policies. The MOE released overviews of employment and entrepreneurship policies. The MOE also issued "policy maps" that outline employment promotion measures nationwide and communicate related policies to the public in a bid to ensure the understanding and utilization of these policies by college graduates and employers.

Fourth, the MOE has improved employment guidance services. The MOE has strengthened personalized guidance for college graduates yet to secure employment. The MOE organized a range of internship and trainee programs. These efforts aim to boost the confidence of college graduates and help them find jobs as soon as possible.

Fifth, the MOE has strengthened employment assistance for key groups. The MOE has directed universities nationwide to implement a "one-to-one" assistance mechanism. The MOE also carried out an employment skill training program, which recommend at least three positions for college graduates from low-income families. The national college student employment service platform is organizing special recruitment sessions, and all graduates are welcome to participate and explore potential job opportunities.

Sixth, the MOE has enhanced follow-up services for college graduates. Education institutions will launch ongoing employment services for unemployed college graduates by offering consistent job recommendations, employment services, and key assistance measures after they leave school. The MOE also collaborates with human resources and social security authorities to ensure that unemployed college graduates can access public employment services.

In recent years, the MOE has ramped up efforts on the supply-side reform of higher education and taken multiple measures to promote integration between industry and education sectors and enhance collaboration between universities and enterprises. The MOE also launched follow-up surveys about college graduates' employment status. These surveys aim to ensure that graduates' employment outcomes can better affect disciplinary arrangements and talent development schemes and better align higher education with the needs of socioeconomic growth.

Promoting employment among college graduates is the due responsibility and aspiration of the education sector. In the current graduation season, we will intensify our efforts to facilitate successful employment for more graduates. We would like to take this opportunity to call upon employers to consider hiring more college graduates, which will help strengthen their talent pool. We also sincerely hope all sectors of society join hands and contribute toward boosting employment among college graduates. Thank you.

Huai Jinpeng:

This question is very well-posed. Building upon the valuable information shared by Mr. Deng, I would like to add a few additional points.

First, the number of college graduates in China this year reached 11.58 million, an increase of some 8 percent over the same period last year. As socioeconomic growth transitions towards a high-quality phase, the demand for many talented individuals is increasing. In the meantime, it has become evident that college graduates' employment not only affects them but also attracts the attention of the entire society. This matter has been given great importance by General Secretary Xi Jinping, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. The employment rate on July 2 was 2 to 3 percentage points higher than the same period last year. With the joint efforts of all sectors of society, our achievement is worthy of recognition. At the same time, these 10 million knowledgeable and ambitious graduates in their 20s will inject great vitality into social development and enterprise innovation and research. We need to offer proactive support and create favorable conditions for the employment of college students, ensuring their successful transition into the workforce. In particular, we must focus on meeting their basic employment needs and assisting graduates facing hardships. In this aspect, the Chinese government, society and the MOE have been working proactively to ensure that every such student is offered at least three to five positions. By doing so, we can better adapt to their needs and support their lives. In conclusion, we are committed to meeting graduates' basic employment needs and stimulating their vitality and innovation capacity. 

Second, approaches to education and teaching, along with disciplinary settings and structures, should be consistently adapted to economic and social development. It is crucial to ensure a reasonable level of alignment while also being moderately forward-thinking. The talent supply of college students should effectively match the labor market, and being appropriately forward-thinking, which presents new requirements for the structure of higher education and regional educational adjustments and layouts. This is also very important. Not only should the students learn to grow as individuals, but also have the opportunities to apply what they have learned, as social development continually needs a constant source of talent support.

Third, the employment expectations of young people have changed greatly compared to a decade or five years ago. I recall a student sharing that he has many academic and career options, not necessarily to return to his hometown but maybe to venture outside for a few years. While some of these ideas might not be fully supported by his family, he feels he can choose flexible employment, securing multiple offers before making a decision. However, at the same time, we promote a more proactive employment perspective, encouraging young people to understand the society through practice and work, creating value with their youthful vigor and dedication. We are particularly grateful to all sectors of the society for their support of the education and employment of college students. Many enterprises recognize the pivotal role talent development plays in fostering enterprise innovation and market growth, nurturing and reserving talents, and collaborating with the education system to promote the better development of society and contribute to the improvement of overall human capabilities.

I just added a few words because this is really a big concern for us. Thank you.