Premier Li Keqiang asked local governments across the country to introduce more measures that support job creation, and promptly repeal unreasonable regulations that hinder flexible employment.

Premier Li made the remarks at the State Council’s executive meeting on Dec 4, which rolled out a host of measures to keep employment stable and boost job opportunities for people with disabilities.

"Employment is essential to people’s well-being and it is the wellspring of wealth," Premier Li said. "Stable employment is the key indicator in ensuring that the economy does not slide out of the proper range. " He urged local governments to attach great importance to promoting employment.

This year, thanks to stable employment, China's economy has been maintained within a proper range, the Premier said. However, the Chinese government should face up to greater challenges that may emerge next year and make every effort to overcome difficulties.

The employment-first policy should be fully implemented and supporting policies should be further improved based on expanded domestic demand and stable trade, the Premier said.

Statistics show that China's employment has continued to expand since 2013, with more than 13 million urban jobs being created every year.

Furthermore, as millions of migrant workers are moving to the city every year, more jobs must be created in cities.

"China's economy is developing and growing, which will continuously create new jobs," the Premier said, adding that "GDP growth will create larger employment, while the increased employment will also boost GDP growth. Therefore, we must stabilize existing employment and try to create new jobs. "

At the executive meeting, decisions were made to further promote mass entrepreneurship and innovation, and to ease the terms of guaranteed loans to micro and small startups.

The meeting also urged local governments to provide one-time funding support for migrant workers who return home to start a business for the first time.

Occupational injury protection for personnel engaged in forms of new employment will also be piloted.

Premier Li called for governments at all levels to ensure the basic living of unemployed people, and study more effective incentives for enterprises to employ more of the disabled.

It was decided at the meeting that the gradual rate cuts of unemployment insurance and employment injury insurance, on-the-job training subsidies, and other favorable employment policies will be extended for another year.

In addition, skill training, with subsidies, will be offered to those under 20 years of age who do not go to high school and have no jobs, and people will be able to get unemployment registration at their place of residence.

The meeting also encouraged enterprises to increase their share of employees with disabilities, and disabled employment security funds will be used to support training and employment-related services.