Freelancers, such as e-sports players, have emerged as a new source of jobs for the record number of students graduating from Chinese higher education institutions this year, according to a document on nationwide employment data verification for college graduates released by the Ministry of Education.

Today, although some freelancers have stable incomes, it cannot be regarded as a general industry standard. For example, there were over 600 We-Media bloggers who made 100,000 yuan ($14,300) a month on the social media platform WeChat in 2018, but the number of official accounts exceeded 20 million in 2017.

However, the prospects of emerging industries still attract many people. In June 2019, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security released a report on e-sports where it predicted the demand for e-sports talent would reach nearly 2 million. At the same time, 20 universities and over 200 junior colleges have begun providing relevant modules.

Since those industries have been officially included in employment data, it is necessary to establish a complete vocational education system. Administrations should guide these emerging industries on the track of healthy development by creating management mechanisms and industry norms, and stimulating their creativity.

This is an edited excerpt of an article originally published in Guancha.gmw.cn on July 10 

(Print Edition Title: Emerging Industries)