China’s Eighth Batch Adds 11 New Professions, 23 Job Types

China’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS), together with the State Administration for Market Regulation and the National Bureau of Statistics, unveiled 11 new professions and 23 new job types on September 9 — the eighth batch of occupational classifications released since the country began its systematic new-profession recognition program in 2019. The announcement, formalized in document number 人社厅发〔2026〕35号 dated August 28, brings China’s cumulative total of newly recognized professions to 121.

The new roles span emerging technology, green energy, and modern service sectors, reflecting the structural transformation underway in the world’s second-largest economy. According to Xinhua News, the newly recognized professions include ship shore-based management engineering technicians, embodied intelligent robot application technicians, digital twin engineering technicians, industrial product digital modelers, sports data analysts, microgrid administrators, hydrogen fuel cell manufacturing workers, electrolytic hydrogen production workers, incense artisans, satellite navigation equipment installers, and corporate sustainable development planners.

The 23 new job types include community workers, low-altitude logistics personnel, low-altitude intelligent connected systems administrators, AI agent developers, new energy vehicle inspectors, airport clear zone inspectors, aging-friendly renovation designers, fresh cut flower processors, ice and snow sculptors, and smart furniture installers. Six existing professions, including agricultural product brokers, were also adjusted or updated.

Digital and Green Professions Lead the Expansion

Of the 11 new professions, five are classified as digital professions, representing 45.5 percent of the total, and three are green professions, accounting for 27.3 percent. The microgrid administrator role qualifies as both a digital and green profession. With this release, China has now published 113 digital professions and 142 green professions cumulatively.

The digital emphasis reflects the rapid expansion of China’s digital economy. According to MOHRSS analysis, data from the National Bureau of Statistics shows the added value of China’s core digital economy industries reached 14.0891 trillion yuan (approximately $1.97 trillion) in 2025, accounting for 10.5 percent of GDP.

The green professions align with China’s “dual carbon” strategy, which aims to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. The MOHRSS noted that the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030) represents a critical window for comprehensive green transformation and achieving carbon peak goals. As CNR reported, the green occupational expansion demonstrates the “dual carbon” strategy taking root in the employment sector.

Responding to Concrete Labor Market Pressures

The new classifications also respond to tangible workforce shortages. The embodied intelligence industry faces a talent gap of approximately one million people, with demand for embodied intelligent robot application technicians growing 30 percent in a single year. Similarly, China has 43.97 million new energy vehicles on the road but fewer than 100,000 certified technicians with relevant experience.

Aging demographics are also shaping the new occupational landscape. China has over 323 million people aged 60 and above, driving demand for aging-friendly renovation designers who help retrofit homes with safety features such as grab bars and accessible bathroom modifications.

According to China News Service, the new professions and job types “closely follow the requirements of promoting the development of new quality productive forces, transforming and upgrading traditional industries, cultivating and strengthening emerging industries, and planning and building future industries.”

Purpose and Government Support

The MOHRSS stated that releasing new professions serves three primary purposes: promoting employment and entrepreneurship by opening more diverse career paths for workers; guiding vocational education and training to achieve precise matching between talent supply and job demand; and promoting the standardized operation of new business formats and industrial upgrading.

The government is supporting workforce development in these emerging fields through the “Skills Illuminate the Future” initiative, which provides annual training subsidies for over 10 million people. Priority areas include the low-altitude economy, new energy vehicles, artificial intelligence, and elderly care services.

Looking ahead, the MOHRSS said it will accelerate the development of professional standards for the newly recognized roles, promote capability improvement among practitioners, and streamline career advancement channels. The official announcement emphasizes the goal of building a “sufficient and well-structured talent pool” to support high-quality economic development.

What to Watch

As China’s economy continues its transition toward higher-value, technology-driven and sustainable industries, further expansions of the occupational classification system are expected. The pace of new profession recognition since 2019 — averaging more than 15 per year — signals that the government views formal occupational recognition as a key tool for guiding workforce development and signaling strategic priorities to employers, educators, and workers alike.