Employment Stability - Cai Run on China-EU Ties - May Day Holiday Spending Up 8%
There isn’t a whole lot that’s useful in the paper today. So, instead of going page-by-page, I am just covering the reports that are interesting.
First, there’s this report on China’s employment situation, particularly taking into account the external shocks that the economy has suffered. The article says:
“Since the beginning of this year, the majority of business entities have taken positive actions, and all localities and departments have worked together to ensure the overall stability of the employment situation. In the first quarter, 3.08 million new jobs were created in urban areas across the country, an increase of 50,000 year-on-year, faster than the expected pace. The average urban survey unemployment rate was 5.3%, lower than the expected control target. Wang Pingping, director of the Population and Employment Census Department of the National Bureau of Statistics, said that the number of manufacturing jobs increased year-on-year in the first quarter, some service industries were more active in hiring, and employment in sectors like accommodation, catering, cultural, and recreational industries increased, supporting stable employment for key groups.” 今年以来，广大经营主体积极作为，各地区各部门协同发力，确保就业形势总体稳定。一季度，全国城镇新增就业308万人，同比增加5万人，快于时序进度。城镇调查失业率均值为5.3%，低于预期控制目标。国家统计局人口和就业统计司司长王萍萍表示，一季度制造业就业人数同比增加，部分服务行业用工较为活跃，住宿餐饮、文体娱乐等行业就业人员都有所增加，支撑了重点群体稳就业.
Major projects feature large investment, long cycles, and wide industrial coverage. They are important ‘amplifiers’ for driving employment. In the first quarter of this year, China implemented 21,600 water conservancy projects, employing 660,000 people. The ‘two major/heavy’ policies progressed solidly, and the 102 major projects listed under the 14th Five-Year Plan accelerated implementation. Infrastructure investment grew by 5.8%, 1.4 percentage points faster than the previous year, effectively enhancing employment driving power. 重大工程投资大、周期长、产业覆盖面广，是拉动就业重要的“扩增器”。今年一季度，我国仅水利项目就实施2.16万个，在建水利项目吸纳就业66万人。一季度，“两重”政策扎实推进，“十四五”规划102项重大工程加快实施，基础设施投资增长5.8%、比上年全年加快1.4个百分点，有效提升了就业带动力.
The service industry is an important ‘reservoir’ for employment. Recently, the Ministry of Commerce and other departments launched several measures to promote the expansion and upgrade of household services consumption and support localities in guiding labourers into training and employment. According to Zhaopin recruitment data, in the first quarter, recruitment demand in online life services, transportation and logistics, and elderly care increased year-on-year by 43%, 35%, and 17%, respectively. According to 58.com, demand and supply for roles such as waiters and salespersons were both strong. 服务业是重要的就业“蓄水池”。近日，商务部等部门推出促进家政服务消费扩容升级若干举措，支持各地引导劳动者参训就业。智联招聘数据显示，一季度，在线生活服务、交通物流、养老看护等行业招聘需求同比分别增长43%、35%、17%；58同城数据显示，服务员、销售员等岗位招聘供需两旺.
Wang Pingping assessed that although some industries currently face employment pressure, China has many economic advantages, strong resilience, and great potential, providing a solid foundation for employment stability. As various macro policies are implemented effectively, the employment situation will continue to maintain overall stability. 王萍萍分析，虽然当前部分行业就业面临一定压力，但我国经济优势多、韧性强、潜能大，就业稳定具备坚实基础。随着各项宏观政策落地见效，就业形势将继续保持总体稳定.
The second part of the article discusses whether “new industries and new consumption” can boost employment. There are no numbers of any substance, but lots of anecdotal information in this. This is useful: “Starting this year, China will implement the ‘Skills Light the Future’ training initiative, carrying out large-scale vocational training for three consecutive years to ease structural employment imbalances.” 今年起，我国将实施“技能照亮前程”培训行动，连续三年开展大规模职业技能培训，进一步缓解结构性就业矛盾.
“This year, more proactive macro policies have been implemented one after another. The national social security and employment budget expenditures are arranged to be nearly 4.5 trillion yuan, an increase of 5.9%; the current balance of special loans for stabilising and expanding employment is more than 300 billion yuan, and the balance of entrepreneurship guarantee loans exceeds 270 billion yuan; the central government has arranged 66.74 billion yuan in employment subsidies to provide strong policy support for key groups. ‘We have conducted a full analysis and assessment of this year’s employment situation together with relevant departments and are prepared for all uncertainties. Our employment policy toolbox is sufficient, and we have made policy reserves in encouraging enterprises to absorb employment, supporting enterprises to stabilize and expand positions, promoting workers to improve skills and employment entrepreneurship. They will be launched in a timely manner according to changes in the situation,” said Yu Jiadong, Vice Minister of Human Resources and Social Security. ‘We have confidence and determination to maintain overall employment stability’.” 今年，更加积极有为的宏观政策接连落地，全国社会保障和就业预算支出安排近4.5万亿元，增长5.9%；目前稳岗扩岗专项贷款余额3000多亿元，创业担保贷款余额超过2700亿元；中央财政安排就业补助资金667.4亿元，为重点群体提供强有力的政策托举。“对今年的就业形势，我们会同有关部门作了全面分析和充分预判，做好了应对各种不确定因素的准备。我们的就业政策工具箱充足，在激励企业吸纳就业、支持企业稳岗扩岗、促进劳动者提升技能和就业创业等方面都作了政策储备，将会根据形势变化及时推出。”人力资源和社会保障部副部长俞家栋表示，有信心、有底气继续保持就业局势总体稳定.
On Page 3, there’s an article by Cai Run, China’s ambassador to the EU, marking the 50th anniversary of China-EU ties. Cai has a four-point proposal for the relationship going forward:
“Adhere to the strategic guidance of head-of-state diplomacy. In 2014, President Xi Jinping made a historic visit to the EU headquarters, elevating China-EU relations to a new level of development. In May last year, during President Xi’s state visit to France, he was invited to hold a trilateral meeting with French President Macron and European Commission President von der Leyen. In January this year, President Xi Jinping had a telephone conversation with European Council President Costa. President Xi Jinping had in-depth exchanges with EU leaders, reached important consensus on the development of China-EU relations, pointed out the direction for promoting the healthy and stable development of China-EU relations, and provided strategic guidance. 坚持元首外交的战略引领。2014年，习近平主席历史性访问欧盟总部，将中欧关系提升到新的发展水平。去年5月，习近平主席对法国进行国事访问期间应邀同法国总统马克龙、欧盟委员会主席冯德莱恩举行中法欧领导人三方会晤。今年1月，习近平主席同欧洲理事会主席科斯塔通电话。习近平主席同欧方领导人深入交流，就中欧关系发展达成重要共识，为促进中欧关系健康稳定发展指明方向，提供了战略引领.
Pursue a way of interaction based on mutual respect. The development of China-EU relations shows that as long as both sides respect each other, treat each other as equals, and engage in candid dialogue, they can promote cooperation and accomplish great things. Partners can share the same goals, and partners can also seek common ground while reserving differences. The key is to respect the social systems and development paths chosen by each other’s people, and respect each other’s core interests and major concerns. The differences in social systems, ideologies, historical cultures, and development levels between China and the EU should be the driving force for exchanges and cooperation between the two sides. China and Europe have no fundamental conflicts of interest or geopolitical contradictions. Cooperation far outweighs competition, and consensus far outweighs differences. They are partners in mutual achievement. 奉行相互尊重的相处之道。中欧关系发展历程表明，只要双方相互尊重、平等相待、坦诚对话，就能推动合作、办成大事。志同道合是伙伴，求同存异也是伙伴。关键是尊重各自人民选择的社会制度和发展道路，尊重彼此核心利益和重大关切。中欧社会制度、意识形态、历史文化、发展水平不同，这些差异应是双方交流合作的动力。中欧没有根本利害冲突，也没有地缘政治矛盾，合作远大于竞争，共识远大于分歧，是相互成就的伙伴.
“Practice the cooperation concept of mutual benefit and win-win results. The essence of China-EU practical cooperation is complementary advantages, mutual benefit and win-win results. The fruits of cooperation not only benefit the people of both sides but also promote the development and prosperity of the world economy. China and the EU have built a comprehensive, multi-level, and wide-ranging cooperation pattern, forming a strong economic symbiotic relationship. China-EU economic and trade cooperation is large in scale, and it is inevitable that there will be some differences and frictions. It is hoped that the EU will meet China halfway, implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of both sides to properly handle economic and trade frictions through dialogue and consultation, and turn differences and frictions into practical cooperation and growth points for bilateral relations.” 践行互利共赢的合作理念。中欧务实合作的本质是优势互补、互利共赢，合作成果既造福双方人民，也促进了世界经济的发展繁荣。中欧构建起全方位、多层次、宽领域的合作格局，形成了强大的经济共生关系。中欧经贸合作体量大，难免存在一些分歧摩擦。希望欧方同中方相向而行，落实双方领导人达成的通过对话协商妥善处理经贸摩擦的重要共识，将分歧摩擦变成务实合作和双方关系的增长点.
Actively advocate multilateralism. Multilateralism is the most consistent consensus between China and the EU. Both China and the EU advocate maintaining the international system with the United Nations at its core and the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core. Both oppose unilateral bullying and are committed to promoting world multi-polarization and economic globalization. China and the EU work together to address global challenges such as climate change and development deficits, carry out effective multilateral coordination and cooperation, and play an irreplaceable role in promoting world peace and development. 积极倡导多边主义。多边主义是中欧最一致的共识。中欧都主张维护以联合国为核心的国际体系和以世界贸易组织为核心的多边贸易体制，都反对单边霸凌，致力于推动世界多极化和经济全球化。中欧携手应对气候变化、发展赤字等全球性挑战，开展富有成效的多边协调合作，为促进世界和平与发展发挥了不可替代的作用.
Let’s now look at some of the data from China’s May Day holiday. During the five-day break, Chinese travelers took an estimated 314 million domestic trips, marking a 6.4 percent increase from the previous year, according to figures released by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Tourist spending also saw a notable rise, reaching 180.3 billion yuan (roughly 25 billion U.S. dollars), an 8 percent year-on-year jump that highlights the sustained vitality of consumer activity. Reuters reports that cinemas suffered a significant drop in ticket sales, with the box office haul over the five-day holiday at 747 million yuan, only about half of the same period in 2024.
A report in the paper today informs that sales of key retail and catering enterprises nationwide during the holiday period increased by 6.3% year-on-year.
In the first four days of the holiday, over 60,000 car trade-in subsidy applications were submitted, driving new car sales of 8.8 billion yuan;
Consumers purchased 3.56 million units of home appliances across 12 major categories, driving sales of 11.9 billion yuan;
They bought 2.42 million digital products such as mobile phones, driving sales of 6.4 billion yuan.
Sales revenue of home appliances, automobiles, and communication equipment by key retail enterprises monitored by the Ministry of Commerce increased year-on-year by 15.5%, 13.7%, and 10.5%, respectively.
Sales revenue of smart home products on key e-commerce platforms monitored by the Ministry of Commerce increased by over 20% year-on-year;
Sales of sports and entertainment goods at key retail enterprises increased by 14.8%.
During the holiday, the sales revenue of key national catering enterprises increased by 8.7% year-on-year.
假期前四天，汽车以旧换新补贴申请量超6万份，带动新车销售88亿元；消费者购买12大类家电产品356万台，带动销售119亿元；购买手机等数码产品242万件，带动销售64亿元。假期，商务部重点监测零售企业家电、汽车、通信器材销售额同比分别增长15.5%、13.7%、10.5%。商务部重点监测电商平台智能家居产品销售额同比增长超20%，重点监测零售企业体育娱乐用品销售额增长14.8%。服务消费持续升温，餐饮文旅市场红火。据商务大数据监测，假期全国重点监测餐饮企业销售额同比增长8.7%.