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A ‘Forming a Snowflake’ show is presented during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, Feb 4, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua]

On Feb 4, an eye-catching and much-awaited opening ceremony was held at the National Stadium, also called the Bird’s Nest, in Beijing to officially start the 2022 Winter Olympics. The ceremony attracted the world’s attention, saw the attendance of around 31 world leaders, including heads of states, governments and multi-national organizations, and made history as Beijing became the first city ever to host both a summer and winter Olympic Games.

While the stunning memories of the 2008 Olympic opening ceremony are still fresh, rather than duplicate the 2008 classics, this year’s opening ceremony was just as spectacular and memorable, only lighter, greener and more exquisite. Partly due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Friday’s event was noticeably toned down and shortened to about 100 minutes, with 3,000 people taking part instead of 15,000, compared to the 2008 spectacle. “Being splendid is not necessarily reflected in quantity,” said Zhang Yimou, the chief director of the event. With the use of many cutting-edge technologies such as 5G, machine vision and AI, the ceremony served as a visual feast with fantastic lighting and images, demonstrating the true meaning of “quality over quantity” and technological development of the country.

The opening ceremony started with a countdown of the 24 solar terms, delighting the audience, as the first of the 24 solar terms of this Chinese lunar year “Beginning of Spring” fell on this very day. Spring represents hope and new life. Amid the pandemic and international political controversy, hope is the one thing that the whole world is in desperate need of, to regain trust and restart. Adversity can only be overcome through solidarity.

“Together for a Shared Future,” this Winter Olympics slogan, was incorporated and displayed throughout the entire ceremony. Passing the Chinese national flag was one of the most touching scenes. The five-star red flag was passed by hand by 100 Chinese people of all ages, from all walks of life, and all ethnic minorities, and eventually in the hands of the flag-raisers. Apart from national solidarity, international togetherness was also emphasized. The parade of athletes, instead of having music recorded specifically, was accompanied by a selection of 19 well-known classical music excerpts ranging from “Turkish March” to “Symphony No.5 in C Minor,” to show respect for the culture of the whole world. What’s more, the forming of a snowflake that was a feature of the show perfectly explained the Chinese philosophy of “harmony in diversity” and “strength in unity”. The banners that had been held up in front of teams of each nation as they made their entrance eventually interlocked with one another into one giant snowflake, symbolizing one united human nation, a shared community of mankind. It sends the message that however different we may appear, there’s far more that unites us than divides us.

Denoting the Olympic spirit of “Higher, faster, stronger and together,” the cauldron lighting has always been the most breathtaking part of the opening ceremony. This year, the Olympic cauldron was lit by a Uyghur cross-country skier Dinigeer Yilamujiang and Nordic Combined athlete Jiawen Zhao, to represent gender equality. And for the first time in Olympic history, the small yet powerful flame of the Olympic cauldron also conveyed the idea of a “greener” future and was a call for solidarity, as in, “A single spark can start a prairie fire.” Furthermore, this bold, innovative and revolutionary change was jointly decided by both China and IOC after much discussion, in the hopes of spreading “green” ideas and encouraging people, and for the Games to adhere to the concept of low-carbon and sustainability.

The successful opening ceremony has won the world’s acclaim. It wasn’t just a wonderful spectacle but also a message bearer. It made people wonder and ponder. The world today is undergoing profound transformations and facing multiple challenges under the combined impact of great changes and once-in-a-century pandemic. In this special period of time, besides merely games and competitions, more importantly, the Olympic Games can play a unique role in galvanizing global solidarity and cooperation, and its spirit serves as a beacon for people to get over this difficult time. In the wars against the pandemic, climate change and so forth, no country can be better off on its own. It’s time to set aside prejudices and politics to make room for trust and sound policy. The whole world needs to stick together to be stronger and forge ahead with courage and fortitude, because to build a safe, peaceful and sustainable home requires solutions and actions from not only “me” but also “us”. And China is proud to say, “The world is turning its eyes to China, and China is ready.”

On January 17, Wuhu held a meeting on COVID-19 prevention and control. He Dong, Member of Standing Committee of CPC Wuhu Municipal Committee and Vice Mayor attended the meeting.

The meeting points out that as the Spring Festival approaches, increased movement makes it easier for people to gather together, which gives more pressure to preventing imported cases. All cities, counties, towns and villages should be on duty at all times, and the telephone lines for epidemic consultation and reporting should be kept open 24 hours a day so that people can answer questions, explain their doubts and report when they return home. To prevent imported cases is the top priority. Taking the community as a unit, comprehensive and active survey and registration of people from other provinces should be done timely in accordance with regulations. We need to properly control public places, key places, and rural areas and ensure the control of cold-chain food, international mails and goods. We need to carry out self-examination and self-correction in response to problems in other areas, and improve all the measures. Emergency preparedness should be made in advance, and epidemic prevention and control and Spring Festival travel should be coordinated to ensure that the people have a stable and peaceful Spring Festival.

At the meeting, a briefing on the supervision and inspection of the epidemic prevention and control in the whole city was heard, and the key work of epidemic prevention and control in the near future was arranged.

Translated by Yuan Mengwen from Foreign Affairs Office of Wuhu Municipal People’s Government 

On January 15th, the opening ceremony of the exhibition center of Anhui Supply and Marketing Platform (Agricultural Products Promotion Center for Rural Revitalization in Wuhu) was held. Wu Liangsi, Party Secretary and Director of the Council of Anhui Provincial Supply and Marketing Cooperative, Zhu Yongdong, Party Member and Deputy Director of Anhui Provincial Rural Revitalization Bureau, Wang Bin, Party Member and Deputy Director of the Council of Anhui Provincial Supply and Marketing Cooperative, attended the opening ceremony, and Cai Yi, Vice Mayor of Wuhu, delivered a speech.

Cai Yi said in his speech that the opening of the center is a Wuhu action based on the new development stage and staying up to date with the times, a Wuhu practice that adheres to the common development of the municipal government and the society, and a Wuhu innovation that increases farmers’ income and realizes common prosperity. With the official operation of the exhibition center (promotion center), the platform for accelerating the circulation of agricultural products, helping farmers increase their income and promoting agricultural efficiency has been successfully set up. We sincerely welcome special agricultural products from various regions to settle in the center, and hope that the local authority, enterprises, institutions and citizens at all levels will fully support the development of the center and jointly help build a Wuhu model for comprehensive rural revitalization.

After the opening ceremony, the officials and guests attending the ceremony visited the exhibition center together.

Translated by Wang Mengxiao from Foreign Affairs Office of Wuhu Municipal People’s Government

At this year’s provincial “Two Sessions”, Chen Yi, a member of the CPPCC Anhui Provincial Committee in Wuhu, suggested that Wuhu Global Air Cargo Hub Project (hereinafter referred to as “Wuhu Global Port”) should be promoted at a high level.

Wuhu Global Port Project has been included in the implementation plan of the integration of Yangtze River Delta in the 14th Five-Year Plan, the coordinated development plan of civil aviation in Yangtze River Delta and the provincial 14th Five-Year Plan, and it is required to formulate the construction plan of Wuhu Global Port during the 14th Five-Year Plan.

According to the strategic cooperation agreement signed by Anhui Provincial Government, Wuhu Municipal Government and Joybuy Group (JD.COM) and the project planning, the overall positioning of Wuhu Global Port is to build Wuhu–Xuanzhou Airport into a professional cargo hub, creating a global air cargo network and an internationally competitive air cargo hub.

Chen Yi suggested that we should speed up formulating special plans for the construction of the air cargo in Anhui Province at the provincial level, and determine the functional orientation and regional layout of the air cargo in the province, so as to accelerate the development of the air cargo industry and the integration into the Yangtze River Delta, the national and global air cargo market.

She also suggested setting up a group of officials responsible for Global Port Project led by Anhui provincial officials, together with the Provincial Development and Reform Commission, the Provincial Department of Transportation, the Provincial Department of Civil Affairs, the Provincial Department of Natural Resources, the Provincial Department of Commerce and the Provincial Department of Finance, etc., and transferring the specialized personnel from relevant departments at the provincial or municipal level to work together, and formulating a list of responsibilities, a timetable and a road map.

According to Chen Yi, it is necessary to support the revision and approval of general regulations and the reconstruction and expansion of Wuhu-Xuanzhou Airport, coordinate with Shanghai Railway Administration, support the reconstruction and expansion of Taqiao Railway Logistics Base and Sanyuan Cargo Terminal, and plan to introduce high-speed rail logistics into Wuhu-Xuanzhou Airport on a pilot basis; planning the construction of international air cargo stations, customs, inspection and quarantine and other infrastructure.

“We should increase the support on the policy, funds, and land use.” Chen Yi added. She also suggested assisting in the opening declaration of the airport and the planning of the bonded area at the airport and the expansion of China (Anhui) Pilot Free Trade Zone Wuhu Area. In addition, the provincial government should provide financial support concerning the special fund for civil aviation, the funds within the central budget and the provincial government funds.

Translated by Wang Mengxiao from Foreign Affairs Office of Wuhu Municipal People’s Government 

Reporters learned that recently, Huanggang-Huangmei High-speed Railway has entered the completion acceptance stage and will soon enter the joint adjustment test, which marks another step closer to the opening of this high-speed railway line. After the opening of the Huanggang-Huangmei High-speed Railway, it only takes two hours from Wuhu to Wuhan, marking that another passenger transport channel opening to the western region.

Huanggang–Huangmei High-speed Railway, an extension of the Wugang Intercity Railway Line, starts from Huanggangdong Station in the north, via Huanggang urban area, Xishui County, Qichun County, Wuxue City, Huangmei County, and connecting Anhui-Jiujiang High-speed Railway that has opened operation at Huangmeidong Station.

Construction of this 125.12-kilometer line began in December 2018, with five stations and a designed speed of 350 kilometers per hour. It is an important part of Beijing-Hong Kong (Taiwan) Channel, one of the main channel of the “eight vertical and eight horizontal” high-speed railway network in China’s “Medium and Long Term Railway Network Planning”, and also a part of the high-speed railway from Wuhan to Hangzhou. This line is of great significance for improving the railway network layout of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, promoting the revitalization and development of the old revolutionary base areas of Dabie Mountains, and driving the coordinated development of Wuhan metropolitan area.

The reporter learned that Nanjing-Anqing High-speed Railway is connected with the Anhui-Jiujiang section of Beijing-Hong Kong High-speed Railway. At present, the Anhui-Jiujiang section of Beijing-Hong Kong High-speed Railway has been put into operation, while Huanggang-Huangmei High-speed Railway will soon be completed and open to traffic. After that, another fast and convenient passenger transport channel with large transport capacity from Wuhu to Wuhan will be added in the east-west direction. By then, departing from Wuhu to Wuhan by high-speed rail, it is accessible to reach Wuhan from Wuhu via Anqing, Huangmeidong, Huanggang as well as via Hefei and Lu ‘an.

Translated by Yuan Mengwen from Foreign Affairs Office of Wuhu Municipal People’s Government 

Tourists take photos at the Bund area of Shanghai. [Photo by Wang Gang/For China Daily]

BEIJING — China still raises hopes for a global recovery in 2022 with its strong economic resilience despite challenges and uncertainties amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

A report released at the International Finance Forum (IFF)’s annual meeting in December estimated that China would remain the largest contributor to global growth at 26.3 percent in 2021.

The International Monetary Fund forecasts that China’s economy will grow 5.6 percent this year, 0.7 percentage points higher than global economic growth.

Analysts believe that the world’s second-largest economy will be increasingly shaped by the power of consumption and innovation while continuing to seek greater synergy with global economies.

Consumption gains steam

In the first three quarters of 2021, final consumption expenditure contributed 64.8 percent to China’s economic growth, 3.1 percentage points higher than the level seen in the first half of the year, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed.

Consumption acted as a pillar of China’s economy in 2021, and the country is expected to step up efforts in further unleashing consumer demand, said Wen Bin, chief analyst at China Minsheng Bank.

In 2022, the country will wield its microeconomic policies to stimulate the vitality of market entities and deepen the supply-side structural reform with a focus on smoothing the circulation of the national economy, said the tone-setting Central Economic Work Conference in December 2021.

China’s consumption market in solid expansion can underpin foreign trade growth, said Lin Wei, vice-chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Zhejiang Provincial Committee.

The country’s massive market has contributed 14.8 percent to the global import growth in the first half of 2021, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

The implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement on Jan 1 marked a new milestone for China’s opening-up. It means the country will fulfill commitments on service trade opening-up and investment negative lists.

News drivers emerging

This year, China will continue upgrading its industrial sector and seek new growth drivers, which will further catalyze the growth of foreign business in China.

China will take progressive moves in infrastructure investment and guide financial institutions to step up support for sci-tech innovation and green development.

High-tech manufacturing industries such as pharmaceuticals, computers, and office equipment are likely to maintain rapid growth amid the country’s continuous efforts to encourage sci-tech innovation in 2022, said Chen Weidong, a senior researcher with the Bank of China.

Tu Xinquan, a professor at the University of International Business and Economics, said that more foreign investment would flow into modern service industries and advanced manufacturing industries while China accelerates industrial restructuring.

The country’s transition to low-carbon development has also been luring investment into green technologies and creating opportunities for domestic and foreign companies.

At the fourth China International Import Expo in last November, automation giant Honeywell International signed cooperation agreements with more than 20 Chinese enterprises on green and low-carbon development, advanced manufacturing, and digitalization.

China’s green and low-carbon transformation has brought broad development opportunities to multinational enterprises, said Steven Lien, president of Honeywell China and Aerospace Asia Pacific.

A technician oversees installation of a wind power turbine in Chuzhou, Anhui province. [Photo by Song Weixing / for China Daily]

BEIJING — China will accelerate the implementation of major projects outlined in the 14th Five-Year (2021-2025) plan for social and economic development with expanded investment, the State Council, or the cabinet, has decided.

A State Council executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang on Monday said that, as viable policies and detailed plans had been created, relevant authorities should speed up the major projects with solid measures and in an orderly fashion.

As the Chinese economy is in a crucial period, the country should give higher priority to stabilizing economic growth, continue its strategy of expanding domestic demand, and take targeted steps to boost consumption and investment, according to the meeting.

Pushing forward all major projects in the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the country will accordingly ensure the financing, land use and energy supply for critical sectors such as food and energy security, the advanced manufacturing and high-tech industries, logistics and telecommunications, and urban government-subsidized housing.

The meeting vowed streamlined administrative procedures for those ready-to-go projects, in particular major water-conservancy projects, to accelerate the implementation.

On the local level, the country will put into use the 1.2 trillion yuan ($188.5 billion) of local government special bonds issued in the fourth quarter of 2021, and accelerate the issuance of the front-loaded 2022 bond quota, the meeting decided.

The meeting also stressed accelerating the centralized bulk-buying of drugs, especially medicines for chronic diseases and common illnesses, and high-value medical consumables such as dental implants to further reduce medical costs.

By the end of last year, the government procurement had helped save 260 billion yuan in medical-insurance costs and patient expenditure, according to the meeting.

President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, on Jan 4, 2022. Xi inspected the preparations for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing on Tuesday. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING – Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged organizers to continue to work hard in the final stages of their preparations to ensure the complete success of the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during his latest inspection of the Games’ preparatory work on Tuesday.

Xi said that a successful Beijing 2022 is China’s solemn commitment to the international community and after years of preparations, everything is ready.

“We are fully confident and capable of presenting to the world a fantastic, extraordinary and excellent Winter Olympics,” Xi noted.

At the National Speed Skating Oval, known locally as the “Ice Ribbon”, Xi inspected the interior decoration and track, and learned about the venue’s Games-time operation plan and event service preparations.

The National Speed Skating Oval is the only newly-built ice sports venue in the Beijing competition zone, and will stage speed skating competitions during the Winter Olympics.

Xi lauded the National Speed Skating Oval as a good example of low-carbon operation and multi-purpose utilization which has followed the “green, inclusive, open and clean” approach.

More Chinese elements should be integrated in the venue’s operation to make it an important window to showcase the unique features of Chinese culture and winter sports development, Xi said.

The “Ice Ribbon” is one of the first venues in the world to use carbon dioxide transcritical direct cooling ice technology for ice-making.

Xi noted that this technology should be promoted so as to contribute to the ecology-friendly transformation of China’s economy and society, as well as achieving low carbon dioxide emissions and carbon neutrality.

At the Main Media Center (MMC), Xi visited the main press conference room, media work room and intelligent dining hall to learn about the center’s construction and operation, COVID-19 countermeasures and whole-process service, Games-time information release, media operation and catering service.

In line with the concepts of hosting a green and frugal Games, the MMC features both the Main Press Center and International Broadcasting Center, and coordinates Games-time service and post-Games exhibition.

Noting that epidemic prevention and control is the biggest challenge for Beijing 2022 organizers, Xi said that access to watching the Games on site will be very limited due to the pandemic and extra importance should be attached to broadcasting and news reporting of the Games.

Xi thus called for efforts from the MMC venue operation team to ensure the smooth operation of news reporting, transmitting and broadcasting, with pandemic prevention and control measures such as the double closed-loop management in place.

Xi also hoped that domestic and overseas media outlets would better present stories about athletes fighting for Olympic glory, China’s endeavor in staging the Games and the Chinese people’s hospitality to showcase Beijing 2022 to the world in an all-round, dimensional and vivid manner.

Xi inspected the Athletes’ Village and heard reports on its construction, operation and COVID-19 countermeasures.

Xi noted that it is a good practice to convert the Village’s buildings into apartments after the closing of the Games, with its long-term use already taken into consideration.

He also hailed its courtyard-style design for demonstrating Beijing’s unique charm as a modern city with time-honored history.

During his visit to clinics and residence rooms for Paralympic athletes in the Village, Xi stressed the need to make facilities accessible and the importance of providing convenient, timely and meticulous services to the athletes.

At the Athletes Village, Xi also spoke to the operation and service team staff and volunteers, and praised their hard work.

The successful hosting of Beijing 2022 will not only enhance our confidence in realizing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, but also help present China as a positive, prosperous and open nation committed to building a community with a shared future for mankind, Xi said.

He added that working as volunteers for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games is a rare opportunity in one’s life, and called on the volunteers to work wholeheartedly and strengthen teamwork to ensure Games services go smoothly, and allow Games participants to feel the hospitality of Chinese people.

In the Games-time Operations Command Center, Xi stressed that a coordinated command system would be key to the success of Beijing 2022, and that the three competition zones should enhance coordination and centralized command.

Xi called on related sectors to fine-tune their work in the final month through test runs and close any loopholes.

Xi then visited Erqi Factory Training Base for Ice and Snow Sports, where a few Chinese national teams are gearing up for the Games.

Xi inspected high-tech training facilities such as wind tunnel laboratories and six-degree-of-freedom training halls, and saw equipment like the four-man bobsled, domestic wax truck and medical treatment stations.

Pushing forward the development of sports technologies is needed to build China into a sporting powerhouse, he said.

Xi watched a training session of China’s speed skating team and encouraged them to prepare in a scientific manner and strive for excellence.

He called on the athletes to fight bravely, fight smart and demonstrate Chinese athletes’ spirit and skills on the Olympic stage.

Xi also wished the athletes good luck at Beijing 2022, which was met with applause and chants of “we are ready!”

After visiting an exhibition about the development of winter sports in China, Xi said that China has achieved its goal of engaging 300 million people in winter sports.

He stressed that the ultimate goal of building a sporting powerhouse and a healthy China is to strengthen the people’s fitness, which also forms an essential part of China’s endeavor to build a modern socialist country in an all-round manner.

The enthusiasm brought about by Beijing 2022 should be maintained to promote sustainable development of winter sports at both elite and grassroots levels, Xi added.

By reconfiguring approach to aging, the problem can be turned into a bonus, experts say

China is taking measures to cope with an aging population by setting up new domestic nursing services, regulating the operation of nursing homes, protecting the rights of the elderly and expanding their access to education to bolster security and happiness.

In November, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council, China’s Cabinet, released a guideline on improving health services in which the elderly were encouraged to play an active role in society through continued education and greater access to entertainment.

The guideline stressed the need to enhance the protection of personal rights and create a more friendly environment for the elderly by improving public awareness of the importance of respect.

For example, all levels of government are required to set up service inventories or management systems to offer tailored services for seniors by evaluating their health and financial conditions. Domestic nursing services, rehabilitation care and social relief are further mandated.

Du Peng, vice-president of Renmin University of China said in a recent interview with Xinhua News Agency that creating such service inventories will help the government define which seniors require services, create standards to ensure they have access and also determine how they should apply for them.

He added that the establishment of a management system is important in giving governments active responsibility both for caring for the elderly and for devising tailor-made policies and support measures for companies wishing to play a role in the sector.

Improving the health of the elderly was also highlighted. Local governments should make more family doctors available to seniors with disabilities, severe diseases, or who are on low incomes. More State-level old-age centers and nursing clinics will be built to facilitate.

According to the seventh national census published in May, there are 264 million people aged 60 and above, accounting for 18.7 percent of the population. The size of China’s aging population has increased 5.44 percentage points since the previous national census in 2010.

To allow for a growing aging population, the guideline emphasized that policymaking bodies should take a positive attitude toward the group and respond to the problem promptly, scientifically and comprehensively by improving family-planning, employment and pension insurance mechanisms.

“We should not only recognize the problems and challenges of an aging population, but work to unleash potential by making the elderly active in society again. It’s a dialectical problem,” Wang Jianjun, an official from the National Health Commission, said at a news conference last month.

Pang Shi, director of the Department of Employment and Entrepreneurship at the Chinese Academy of Personal Science, said that developing the human resources of the aging population could effectively relieve the national labor shortfall.

“Though the structure of the population has changed as we are in an aged society, the elderly can still produce a demographic bonus. The previously existing standard for measuring such a bonus may have to be rectified,” Pang said.

“We have 260 million people aged 60 or above so far, with around 56 percent between 60 and 69, the younger end of the group. Among these ‘younger elderly’, most have the knowledge, the experience and the skills, as well as the good health to potentially rejoin the labor market,” she added.

“Seniors who work are better-off psychologically than those who are retired. Also, encouraging them to find jobs can help ease financial problems, further reducing or eliminating poverty among the elderly and boosting consumption,” Pang said.

She added that the public has a stereotypical view of the elderly, believing that they are unable to work or have more problems and said that it’s time to create a more positive view as the elderly can also contribute to society.

“As for policy, the government should combine pension policy with policies on employment, income and housing. Coping with the aging population on a systematic level will help improve the national pension system, and transform an aging problem into a new opportunity.”

The guideline also highlighted the development of sectors specifically catering to the elderly, such as food, medical services and smart devices, and encouraged companies and research centers to develop more tailor-made products through the use of cutting-edge technologies, for example, rehabilitation equipment to improve the quality of life.

Commercial insurance institutes have also been encouraged to create more commercially sustainable and economically sound health insurance policies for the elderly.

The government will take strict measures to crack down on illegal behavior that encroaches on the rights of the elderly－for example, the sale of counterfeit items－to create a safer, more trustworthy environment.

The aging problem is a key concern for the central government. China has made long-term plans for its aging population since 1994, and has enacted five State-level long-term plans focused on the group in the past 27 years.

As graduation nears, university students look at company profiles and available positions at a job fair in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, on May 16, 2021. YANG SUPING/FOR CHINA DAILY

    The Ministry of Education said on Tuesday it will make the utmost efforts to ensure college graduates find fuller and higher-quality employment amid a record number of students graduating from university next year.

    China is expected to have 10.76 million new college graduates next year, up by 1.67 million from this year, with the total number of graduates and the growth volume both setting records, said Wang Hui, director of the ministry’s department of college student affairs.

    The country’s economy is resilient and the economic fundamentals remain strong in the long term, which has laid a solid foundation for ensuring stable employment for college graduates, Wang said at a news conference.

    However, the employment situation remains complex as the country’s economic development still faces international and domestic challenges.

    Some graduates find it difficult to find jobs while some companies also have trouble hiring new employees, Wang said, adding that employment demand and supply varies greatly among students according to majors, industries and regions.

    The ministry will work with other government departments to ensure local authorities and universities effectively implement various employment promotion policies, Wang said.

The employment situation of the 9.09 million college graduates this year remained stable thanks to the concerted efforts of central and local governments, universities and enterprises, he said.

    Great support has been given to encourage graduates to work at grassroots levels and enlist in the military, while the hiring process for government institutions and State-owned enterprises has been moved forward a month, Wang said.

    Local governments and universities have made specific plans to help graduates from low-income families find jobs, and as a result, they have had a higher employment rate than other students, he added.

    Qiu Kenan, an official at the Guangdong provincial Department of Education, said SOEs in the province had hired 34,600 college graduates by the end of November and all private companies in the province had been encouraged to hire at least one college graduate.

    The province has also provided almost 600 million yuan ($94.2 million) in subsidies this year to more than 170,000 college graduates choosing to work at the grassroots level, and more than 150 million yuan in subsidies to more than 50,000 graduates from families with financial difficulties, he said.

    Yang Yixing, deputy director of the human resources department of China Electronics Corp, said the company hired 4,850 college graduates this year, up by almost 50 percent from last year.

    The company has hired more than 400 graduates from rural areas in Guizhou, Hainan, Shaanxi and Sichuan provinces, and it will continue to hire more graduates from rural areas and families with financial difficulties, he said.

    As the internet and communication industry is developing rapidly, the company will try to provide more and higher-quality job posts to new graduates, Yang said.

    It has signed cooperation agreements with 26 universities and incorporated the company’s professional skills into the training of the students so they can better meet the needs of the industry, he added.