China’s announcement during last month’s ‘Two Sessions’ meetings of a new data ministry grabbed international headlines, but domestically another decision kicked up a stir: Beijing’s announcement of a 5 percent cut in the size of the central government's workforce.
Government ministries and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have long been the country’s biggest employers. In recent years, young Chinese have coveted government jobs, viewing them as more stable and less grueling than those in the private sector.
This week, The Wire looks at China’s largest employers: who they are, how they’ve changed, and how the largest state and privately-owned companies compare.
THE BIGGEST EMPLOYERS
Data: Company annual reports. ByteDance figure from reporting by The Information
Data on how many people China’s different SOEs employ isn’t always readily disclosed. But the financial statements of publicly listed subsidiaries provide a partial picture. The
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As the Belt and Road Initiative gets ready to celebrate its 10th anniversary, Italy is looking for the off-ramp. Beijing's response, plus Italy's ability to negotiate a new deal for itself, will speak volumes about both China's standing in Europe and what the BRI, once seen as a colossus, has left to offer.
