Core Viewpoint - The National Bureau of Statistics reported that the urban surveyed unemployment rate in China averaged 5.2% from January to April, remaining stable compared to the same period last year, with a slight decrease to 5.1% in April, indicating a stable employment situation despite external pressures [1][3]. Employment Stability - In April, the urban surveyed unemployment rate was 5.1%, down 0.1 percentage points from the previous month, marking two consecutive months of decline [3]. - The unemployment rates for migrant workers and youth aged 16-24 also showed a decrease, with the rate for migrant workers at 4.7%, down 0.3 percentage points from the previous month [3][4]. - The demand for labor in enterprises increased in April, contributing to the improvement in unemployment rates [3]. External Environment Impact - The external environment has become increasingly complex, with rising uncertainties affecting the labor market, leading to a 0.1 percentage point increase in the unemployment rate for local registered populations and a 0.2 percentage point increase for migrant agricultural workers compared to the same period last year [3][5]. - Analysts suggest that the impact of U.S. tariff policies on employment is significant in certain industries, particularly leather, footwear, and textiles, but overall, the short-term employment market may remain relatively stable [3]. Employment Policies and Initiatives - The government has implemented various policies to support employment, focusing on key sectors and groups, including a plan to develop job positions in seven key areas and six tasks to support employment for priority groups [5][6]. - A series of recruitment events have been organized to address the employment challenges faced by recent graduates, with over 1200 companies offering more than 50,000 positions during a recent job fair [6][7]. Long-term Employment Challenges - Structural employment issues persist, particularly for youth, while some industries face labor shortages, especially for skilled workers [5][6]. - The need for educational reforms to align with industry demands is emphasized, as there is often a four-year lag between education and employment, which can hinder job readiness [7].

Group 1: Impact of Tariffs on Employment - The total employment driven by exports in China is estimated to be around 120 million people, with exports contributing more significantly to the economy than to employment [1][4][9] - The additional tariffs imposed by the US on China are expected to reduce employment by approximately 0.9% to 1.4%, translating to a potential loss of between 6.684 million and 9.957 million jobs [1][9][12] - Industries most affected by the tariffs include leather and footwear, wood furniture, and textiles, which have high exposure to US revenue and low labor productivity [1][12][13] Group 2: Changes in Employment Environment - The overall employment absorption capacity in China is declining, with GDP growth slowing down leading to an increase in unemployment rates [2][15][18] - The shift from an external to an internal economic cycle is causing a reduction in employment opportunities, particularly in the primary and secondary industries, while the tertiary sector's growth remains slow [2][17][20] - The mismatch between supply and demand in the labor market is exacerbated by factors such as generational wealth transfer, educational mismatches, and a growing preference for stable jobs [2][34][36][37] Group 3: Policies to Stabilize Employment - Continued economic development is essential to create new job opportunities, particularly in the tertiary sector, which has significant potential for employment growth [3][44][46] - Reforming vocational and professional education systems is necessary to align educational outcomes with labor market needs and improve the quality of the workforce [3][48][50] - Enhancing information flow regarding job vacancies, especially in technical fields, is crucial to better match job seekers with available positions [3][50][53]