China workplace

Today, China faces almost the same set of problems that the capitalist states are struggling with. In a post-capitalist world where an entire demographic degenerate into the “useless class”, capitalism will lose the market on which it depends. EAI senior research fellow Lance Gore imagines what this could mean for the Chinese Communist Party and other advocates of the socialist path.

With pension funds slowly depleting, Chinese officials are looking to increase the statutory retirement age to alleviate the pressure on government coffers, increase pension contributions and resolve labour shortages. However, Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Edwin Ong notes that the policy is facing resistance from those nearing retirement as well as the younger generation.

Amid the significant labour shortage Hong Kong is facing due to a massive emigration wave, officials have introduced a number of measures to attract talent back to the city. However, the application loopholes and homogenous background of the applicants leave the locals questioning the measures’ effectiveness in boosting the workforce. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Tai Hing Shing tells us more.

Chinese companies have gotten creative in their recruitment process since the Covid-19 pandemic eased. Companies can now hit a bigger pool of talent at low cost by livestreaming job vacancies, while job seekers, especially blue-collar workers, can easily send in their resumes at a click of a button. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Zeng Shi looks at how the job market is changing due to this innovative channel.

Chinese youths are jumping on the trend of “special forces” travel, spending as little as possible to cover as many locations in as short a time as possible, and spending nights in restaurants and trains instead of hotels and travel accommodations. But given the general lack of in-depth experiences and the negative effects of such superficial tourism, is it worth the effort? Or are young Chinese looking for an outlet for their pent-up energy and emotions?

While China’s better-than-expected first quarter economic figures are encouraging, it cannot be denied that three years of pandemic measures and its aftermath have dealt a blow to China’s economy. Managing economic recovery while solving underlying structure issues will be a challenge in the road ahead, says Zaobao correspondent Yang Danxu.

How far would one go to get a job in the civil service? In China, young people are under enormous pressure if they choose to take the civil service exam, pouring everything into it — some tragic cases have ensued. Zaobao’s China Desk explores the obsession with getting into the civil service.

As Chinese youths face pressures on all fronts, from education to job hunting and even finding love, they are finding some solace in prayers to gods. But a recent article from state media denouncing such behaviours has sparked uproar among the youths, claiming that the authorities are far removed from the problems young people face today.

In 2023, a record of 11.58 million students in China are expected to graduate from higher education institutions. But the perennial struggle to find employment after graduation is especially dire this year. How will China's youths cope with the situation, and what measures have the Chinese government put in place to stabilise employment?