China's employment level remained stable, with the average surveyed urban unemployment rate standing at 5.6% in the first two months of 2023, reports Xinhua, citing research by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). In February alone, the surveyed urban unemployment rate was also 5.6%, up 0.1% from the previous month. Attributing the marginal increase of the February figure to seasonal factors, NBS spokesperson Fu Linghui said China's employment environment has favourable conditions and solid foundations conducive to maintaining stability.

Linghui cited factors, including the overall economic upturn and the accelerated recovery of contact-based services, which will expand the employment market. China will also upgrade policy support, as the country proposed to create around 12 million new urban jobs in 2023 in its government work report, larger than the target number set for last year, according to Lingui.