China plans to recognize 12 new occupations, including digital twin engineers, embodied intelligence robot technicians and sports data analysts, as the country's rapidly evolving economy continues to generate new forms of employment.

According to a recent notice of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the country will also add a number of new specialties under existing occupations, including low-altitude logistics operators, artificial intelligence (AI) agent developers, new energy vehicle inspectors and age-friendly renovation designers.

This move reflects China's efforts to adapt its workforce to an economic transformation marked by the swift expansion of emerging industries, the widespread application of digital technologies and the growing importance of the service sector, while fostering new sources of employment. Since 2019, the ministry has released seven batches of new occupations, with the total number now at 110.

Notably, China's core AI industry has exceeded 1.2 trillion yuan (about 176.35 billion U.S. dollars) in value. Over the past five years, more than 20 of the 72 newly recognized occupations have been related to AI, highlighting AI's growing role in reshaping China's labor market.

China will continue to foster new occupations and expand employment opportunities in sectors such as the digital economy, the green economy and the silver economy, according to its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030).

The ministry said that the newly proposed occupations will be incorporated into the country's official occupational classification after a public consultation process. Relevant practitioners will then become eligible for related national policies and support measures.

The ministry will also formulate national standards for the new occupations to guide vocational education, skills training and talent assessment.