China to Recognise 12 New Professions as Emerging Industries Drive Job Creation

China plans to recognise 12 new professions, including digital twin engineer, embodied intelligence technician, and sports data analyst, as the country’s rapidly developing economy continues to generate new forms of employment. According to a recent notice from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the country will also add several new specialisations under existing professions, such as low-altitude logistics operator, artificial intelligence (AI) agent developer, new energy vehicle inspector, and elderly-friendly renovation designer. The move reflects China’s efforts to adapt its workforce to an economic transformation marked by the rapid expansion of new industries, the widespread application of digital technologies, and the growing role of the service sector, while also fostering new sources of employment. Since 2019, the ministry has released seven batches of new professions, bringing the total to 110. Notably, the value of China’s core AI industry has surpassed 1.2 trillion yuan. Over the past five years, more than 20 of the 72 newly recognised professions have been related to AI, highlighting the technology’s increasing role in transforming the country’s labour market. China will continue to develop new professions and expand job opportunities in sectors such as the digital economy, the green economy, and the silver economy, according to the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030). The ministry stated that the newly proposed professions will be included in the official occupational classification after a public consultation process. Practitioners in the relevant fields will then become eligible for national policies and relevant support measures. The ministry will also formulate national standards for these new professions to guide vocational education, skills training, and competency assessment.