Central govt to keep taking measures to stabilize job market: Premier

The central government will continue to stabilize the job market by providing support and employment services to job seekers this year, Premier Li Keqiang said on Thursday.

He made the remarks at a news conference following the closing of the third session of the 13th National People's Congress, the nation's top legislature.

He said that the government aims to create 9 million new urban jobs this year, a number somewhat below last year's target, and meeting the target needs a certain level of economic growth to drive it.

The surveyed urban unemployment rate is set at 6 percent for this year.

"In April that figure had already hit 6 percent. We set our goals based on the situation on the ground," he said.

He said many self-employed individuals and businesses, as well as some export companies, are all in great difficulties this year. The government will provide support to help them overcome difficulties, but fundamentally should help them land jobs.

The central government is introducing all pro-jobs measures possible to retain existing jobs, he said.

Large-scale funds are being made available to grassroots governments, which are allowed to use the money to cut taxes and fees, and subsidize companies in rent and discount interest in a fair and reasonable way, he said.

The government also will finance vocational training to cushion the impacts on the people and will make great efforts to create new jobs, as some new forms of economies and industries are emerging.

"Nowadays 100 million people are employed in new forms of businesses and some 200 million people are working in the gig economy. We will continue to provide support and lift unnecessary and unwarranted restrictions that prevent the development of those new industries and sectors," he said.

"Last year an average of 10,000 new businesses opened each day. We will work hard to see this figure to stay at this level this year."

As to the employment of key groups, including college graduates whose number will reach a record high this year at 8.74 million, rural migrant workers and demobilized military personnel, the government will provide employment services to them both this year and next.

"Our people are hardworking and the Chinese market keeps expanding and upgrading. In this process the government must focus on providing support in their employment," he said.