China says it can keep jobs stable over next 5 years despite AI, labour challenges

China says it can keep jobs stable over next 5 years despite AI, labour challenges

China has set a 2026 economic growth target of 4.5%-5%, reflecting a strategic shift toward rebalancing its economy and addressing industrial overcapacity, according to analysts. While the target is slightly below last year's 5% pace, it signals a focus on high-quality growth rather than rapid expansion according to analysts. The government has introduced a 100 billion yuan "fiscal-financial coordination" fund to stimulate domestic demand and increase R&D spending by over 7% annually, prioritizing sectors like AI and advanced manufacturing as reported.

Simultaneously, China faces labor market challenges as AI adoption accelerates. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security plans to release a policy document in 2026 to mitigate AI-driven job displacement, emphasizing skills training, reskilling programs, and "human–machine collaboration" roles according to policy plans. Officials acknowledge that while AI may displace jobs in customer service, clerical work, and manufacturing, it also creates opportunities in emerging fields such as AI system testing and robotics engineering as noted.

Experts highlight the government's dual approach: maintaining accommodative monetary policy to support innovation while implementing safeguards to stabilize employment. Marco Sun of MUFG noted that targeted credit support for "new economy" sectors, particularly AI, will remain central to policy according to analysts. Mohamed El-Erian of Allianz cautioned that achieving the growth target will require aggressive reforms to address structural imbalances as warned.

Local governments and industries are also adapting. Hunan Province, for example, has integrated employment risk assessments into its AI development plans, while companies are retraining workers for hybrid "AI+X" roles according to reports. Despite challenges, policymakers stress that AI's net impact on employment will depend on proactive measures to align workforce skills with technological shifts as emphasized.