China recognizes 11 new occupations to meet evolving labor demands

China has officially recognized 11 new occupations and 23 new specialties to address evolving labor demands driven by technological progress, industrial upgrades, and changing consumer needs. The announcement, made by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, includes roles such as embodied intelligence robot technicians, sports data analysts, and shore-based ship management engineering technicians.

Five of the new roles are classified as digital occupations, and three are categorized as green occupations. This brings the national totals to 113 digital and 142 green occupations. Officials noted that China expects a significant shortage of workers with digital skills for some time, and this recognition is intended to stimulate training and expand employment prospects.

The new list also reflects the growth of modern services. Roles focused on industrial upgrading include AI agent developers and corporate sustainability planners, while others cater to high-quality consumer demands, such as smart furniture assembly workers and fresh-cut flower processing workers.