China Adds 11 New Professions, 23 Job Types to National List

China’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS) and other government departments officially released 11 new professions and 23 new job types on September 9, marking the eighth batch of new occupational categories since the country began this practice in 2019. The announcement, reported by Xinhua News, brings China’s cumulative total to 121 newly recognized professions.

Digital and Green Professions Lead the Way

Of the 11 new professions, five are classified as digital professions, including embodied intelligent robot application technician, digital twin engineering technical personnel, industrial product digital modeler, sports data analyst, and microgrid administrator. Three are designated as green professions: microgrid administrator, hydrogen fuel cell manufacturer, and water electrolysis hydrogen production worker. With this release, China’s cumulative count of recognized digital and green professions now stands at 113 and 142 respectively.

The new job types span a similarly diverse range, from community workers and low-altitude logistics operators to new energy vehicle inspectors, aging-friendly renovation designers, intelligent agent developers, and fresh cut flower processors. The list also includes airport clearance inspectors, smart furniture installers, and ice and snow sculptors.

According to CCTV News reporting, the new categories reflect both industrial upgrading needs and everyday quality-of-life demands. “The new professions and job types released this time include those serving enterprise development and industrial upgrading such as sustainable development planners, airport clearance inspectors, and intelligent agent developers, as well as those responding to the people’s needs for a better life such as fragrance artisans, smart furniture installers, and fresh cut flower processors,” the Xinhua announcement stated.

Addressing Critical Talent Shortages

The release comes amid significant labor gaps in several emerging sectors. CCTV News reports that the embodied intelligence industry faces a talent shortfall of approximately 1 million workers, with demand for embodied intelligent robot application technicians growing 30 percent year-over-year. Similarly, China’s 43.97 million new energy vehicles on the road are serviced by fewer than 100,000 experienced certified technicians, making new energy vehicle inspectors particularly sought after.

Demographic pressures are also driving demand. With more than 323 million Chinese citizens aged 60 and above, roles such as aging-friendly renovation designers—professionals who modify homes with safety features like bathroom handrails—are increasingly essential.

A Structured Path to Recognition

The new professions emerged through a rigorous process that began in September 2025, when MOHRSS publicly solicited new profession information from across society. After expert review and consultation with central government agencies, the ministry published a list of 12 proposed professions for public comment in July 2026, as documented by the China Employment Network. Following the public consultation period that ended July 17, the final list of 11 professions was approved and released.

The ministry had initially proposed 12 new professions in July, as reported by CCTV News, suggesting one profession did not make it through the final approval process. Six existing professions and job types, including agricultural product brokers, were also adjusted or updated in this batch.

Broader Economic Significance

Looking at the cumulative picture across all eight batches, Tencent News reporting highlights that social production services and life services personnel account for 72 of the 121 new professions (60 percent), while professional technical personnel and production/manufacturing roles each account for 21 (17 percent each). Modern services and advanced manufacturing dominate the industry breakdown at 43 percent and 34 percent respectively.

The announcement reflects China’s broader strategic priorities. Nearly half of all new professions released since 2019 are digital-related, underscoring the country’s accelerating digital transformation. Green professions have expanded steadily in support of carbon neutrality goals, while the emphasis on modern services aligns with shifting consumer needs and an aging population.

Government Support and Forward Outlook

To support the development of these new professions, the government is advancing the “Skills Illuminate the Future” initiative, which provides subsidized training to more than 10 million people annually in areas such as low-altitude economy, new energy vehicles, artificial intelligence, and health and elderly care services. MOHRSS has issued over 50 national occupational standards this year alone.

Once finalized, new professions are incorporated into the National Occupational Classification Dictionary, enabling practitioners to access national policy benefits. Human resources departments will develop corresponding national occupational standards to guide vocational education and talent evaluation.

As China’s economy continues its transformation toward higher-value, technology-driven industries, the periodic release of new professions serves as both a recognition of emerging labor market realities and a signal of where the government sees future growth. The ninth batch of new professions will likely follow as technological innovation and societal change continue to reshape the country’s workforce.