China’s internet platform companies employ at least 200 million people, including both full-time employees and gig workers, showing the sector’s vital importance to the country’s economic and social stability, reports The South China Morning Post, citing a report by a Beijing-based venture capital firm CyanHill Capital.

While many Chinese Big Tech firms have downsized their payroll amid an economic slowdown, the platform companies remain some of the largest employers for the country’s labour population of 880 million, the report stated. Among the platform workers, truck drivers comprise the biggest group at 16.5 million. The second-largest group of platform workers in China are ride-hailing drivers. With some 7 million active workers, it has become one of the fastest-growing occupations in the country over the past few years, the report said. The next largest group of gig workers in China are its 5 million delivery riders, who have expanded from dispatching just food to cover also items such as groceries, medicine and flower bouquets, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Last week, Premier Li Qiang said in a meeting with big tech firms that the government will set up a regular communication mechanism with platform companies.