As China braces for a record number of university graduates in 2025, authorities are ramping up efforts to address increasingly flagging youth unemployment, according to the Ministry of Education.

On Thursday, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security held a joint meeting in Beijing to coordinate employment and entrepreneurship efforts for next year's university graduates. Statistics indicate that the number of graduates from regular higher education institutions — those requiring students to sit the national college entrance examination, or gaokao — is expected to reach 12.22 million next year, an increase of 430,000 compared with this year.

The Ministry of Education has launched multiple initiatives to direct local governments and universities to implement supportive measures for youth employment. Since September, universities and local authorities have held 55,000 recruitment events offering 10.93 million jobs.

Speaking during a recent visit to Shanxi province, Education Minister Huai Jinpeng highlighted the need to align academic programs with labor market demand and adjust university discipline structures accordingly.

In a new guideline issued on Monday, the Ministry of Education outlined initiatives to help new graduates secure jobs or launch businesses, stressing the need for "high-quality and full employment" for these young adults, who are seen as vital to China's talent pool.

The guideline called on universities to launch emerging disciplines and majors that align with regional development priorities, technological advancements and national strategic goals. Programs with low employment rates will receive "red or yellow warning cards," signaling a need for updates or changes to address shifting job market requirements. The ministry encouraged schools to organize small, specialized job fairs tailored to various industries and regions.

The guideline also advised incorporating career education throughout university programs, offering career planning competitions, internships and other preparatory resources. To spur hiring, the government will provide incentives for companies to increase recruitment and promote flexible employment options for graduates.

In an effort to ensure fair hiring practices, the guideline prohibits discriminatory recruitment practices based on university background, sex or hometown. Additionally, phrases like "985 and 211 project university graduates only" are now banned in job listings.

The "985" and "211" projects are two government initiatives to foster top universities, with an aim to enhance the quality and reputation of higher education in China. The terms "985" and "211" universities are still commonly used to refer to these prestigious schools, and employers often prioritize the hiring of workers who graduated from them.

The Ministry of Education will host recruitment events specifically for the education sector, both online and in person, aiming to generate more than 180,000 job opportunities for the class of 2025.

Xu Nuo contributed to this story.