On March 18, 2026, Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang attended and delivered key remarks at the National Video Conference on Employment and Entrepreneurship for College Graduates and Youth, held in Beijing. This pivotal gathering, co-hosted by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS) and the Ministry of Education (MOE), underscored the Chinese government's commitment to tackling the employment challenges faced by a record 12.7 million university graduates expected in 2026. With youth unemployment remaining a pressing concern amid economic transitions, the conference outlined strategies to ensure high-quality, full employment for these young talents, aligning with national goals for high-quality development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period.
Ding Xuexiang, a Standing Committee member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, emphasized that promoting employment for college graduates is not just a family matter but a national priority involving politics, livelihood, and development. He called for deeper implementation of President Xi Jinping's important instructions, urging all regions, departments, and universities to adopt proactive attitudes, practical approaches, and effective measures.
Record-Breaking Graduate Numbers and Employment Landscape
China's higher education system has seen explosive growth, with the 2026 graduating class projected at 12.7 million students, an increase of 480,000 or 4% from the 12.22 million in 2025. This milestone continues a trend of 'over 10 million' graduates for the fifth consecutive year, reflecting expanded access to undergraduate and vocational programs across the nation's 3,000-plus universities and colleges. However, this surge coincides with structural challenges: official data showed youth unemployment (ages 16-24, excluding students) at 16.5% in December 2025, with many graduates facing skill mismatches and a preference for stable civil service or state-owned enterprise (SOE) positions.
Universities like Tsinghua and Peking have reported shifts, with top graduates increasingly opting for manufacturing and new energy sectors over finance and tech, driven by government campaigns to bolster 'real economy' industries. Employment rates for 2025 graduates hovered around 85-90% by year-end, but quality remains an issue, with many in 'flexible' or low-skill roles.
Ding Xuexiang's Key Directives: Stabilizing and Expanding Job Opportunities
Central to Ding's address was the imperative to 'fully stabilize and expand the employment scale for college graduates.' He advocated integrating investments in infrastructure ('investment in things') with human capital development to fuel high-quality growth. Specific measures included:
- Employment-first policies to support enterprises in retaining and creating jobs through subsidies and tax incentives.
- Coordinating policy, staffing, and project resources to maintain public sector recruitments while developing new positions in emerging fields like AI, green energy, and advanced manufacturing.
- Moderately expanding grassroots programs such as the 'Three Supports and One Assistance' initiative, encouraging graduates to serve in rural areas, western regions, and community services for hands-on experience and long-term career growth.
- Enhancing entrepreneurship support via funding, venues, and mentorship, aiming to leverage startups to multiply job creation.
- Urging provinces like Guangdong and Sichuan—economic powerhouses—to lead in talent attraction, leveraging their industrial clusters for graduate absorption.
These directives build on prior efforts, with over 12 million job opportunities already aggregated since the autumn 2025 semester.
Enhancing University Career Services and Skill Alignment
Ding stressed 'shifting guidance forward,' with public employment services extending into campuses earlier. Universities are pivotal here, tasked with ramping up career counseling, resume workshops, and job fairs. MOE-mandated platforms like the National College Graduates Employment Service Network have connected millions to opportunities, but gaps persist in aligning curricula with market needs.
For instance, engineering universities like Anhui Engineering University—highlighted in the conference—exemplify localized efforts, partnering with local firms for internships. Nationally, colleges must prioritize vocational training in high-demand areas: artificial intelligence (AI), where China aims to create roles via tech upgrades; new quality productive forces like semiconductors and biotech; and service sectors adapting to digital transformation. Recent surveys show 70% of unemployed youth aged 20-24 are college-educated, underscoring the need for practical skills over theoretical knowledge.
To address this, universities are reforming programs: expanding 'double first-class' initiatives to include employability metrics, with 985 and 211 institutions leading AI and EV majors. Internships are now mandatory in many STEM programs, bridging the academia-industry divide.
Targeted Support for Vulnerable Graduates
A focal point was 'one person, one policy' assistance for difficult cases—rural students, those from low-income families, disabled graduates, and long-term unemployed.兜底帮扶 (bottom-line support) includes priority access to subsidies, psychological counseling, and tailored job matching. Colleges' student affairs offices are expanding these services, with MOE allocating funds for campus employment centers.
State Councilor Chen Yiqin echoed this, calling for multi-departmental coordination. Examples include Guangdong's talent hubs drawing tech grads to the Greater Bay Area and Sichuan's push for agri-tech roles in its universities.
Broader Context: Economic Shifts and University Responses
China's economy, transitioning from real estate to high-tech manufacturing, influences higher ed employment. Government targets 12 million urban jobs in 2026, with AI positioned to 'create and upgrade' roles—e.g., AI-driven quality control in factories absorbing engineering grads. Universities like Shanghai Jiao Tong are piloting AI ethics and application courses, while vocational colleges expand in robotics and EVs.
Civil service exams saw record applicants (2.6 million for 37,100 spots in 2025), but diversification campaigns promote SOEs and private firms. For full details on the conference, see the official Xinhua report.
Provincial and Institutional Spotlights
Conference speakers from MOHRSS, MOE, Guangdong, Sichuan, and Anhui Engineering University shared successes: Guangdong's 300,000+ annual grad absorptions via tech parks; Sichuan's rural revitalization jobs. Universities are innovating—e.g., Tsinghua's 86% placement in key sectors for 2025 grads, emphasizing manufacturing patriotism.
- Grassroots: 100,000+ annual posts in teaching, agriculture, healthcare.
- Entrepreneurship: Subsidies up to RMB 100,000 per venture, with incubators on 500+ campuses.
Challenges Ahead: Skill Gaps and Regional Disparities
Despite progress, hurdles remain: urban-rural divides, with western universities facing lower placement rates (80% vs. 95% in east); over-supply in humanities vs. STEM shortages. Youth 'lying flat' phenomenon reflects disillusionment, prompting MOE mental health mandates.
Check MOE's latest employment deployment guidelines for universities.
Future Outlook and Actionable Insights for Universities
Looking to 2030, higher education must pivot: integrate AI literacy across curricula, foster industry partnerships, and track alumni outcomes. Graduates should upskill via platforms like Chsi.com.cn, target emerging sectors, and consider基层服务 for experience.
Ding's vision positions universities as engines of talent for 'new quality productive forces,' promising a brighter job market if implemented effectively. With concerted efforts, 2026's 12.7 million grads can drive China's renaissance.