Xinhua:

Employment is pivotal to people's wellbeing. According to data I have access to, approximately 648,000 farmers and herders in Xizang turned to other jobs in 2024, earning a total labor income of 7.155 billion yuan. Could you please outline the effective measures Xizang has taken to help farmers and herders find new jobs? Thank you.

Gama Cedain:

I'd like to invite Mr. Xu to answer your question.

Xu Zhitao:

Thank you for the question. As the chairperson just mentioned, a happy life is considered the most fundamental human right. To achieve a happy life, people need access to high-quality employment opportunities. In Xizang, where farmers and herders account for more than 60% of the population, the CPC Central Committee places great emphasis on raising the income of farmers and herders and has put forward clear requirements. The Party committee and government of Xizang Autonomous Region have consistently prioritized initiatives to help farmers and herders transition to other fields, thereby enhancing their income. Working under the principle of fully respecting the preferences of farmers and herders, we have given full play to the government's functional role and the market's principal role to provide employment transition services for farmers and herders. To be more specific, we have focused on the following aspects:

First, we have implemented a unified registration system for employment and business startups across both urban and rural areas. We have included all farmers and herders in the urban employment registration system, offering them free public services such as job recommendations, career guidance and jobseeker registration.

Second, we have actively carried out vocational skills training. Currently, urban and rural residents in Xizang aged 16 and above who are willing to work and require skills training have the opportunity to receive skills training. When formulating training and employment plans, we fully respect the preferences of jobseekers, allowing them to select their preferred training programs, methods and training institutions.

Third, we assist farmers and herders in transitioning to jobs in other fields by developing distinctive and competitive industries, establishing facilities to facilitate job placement, and implementing government-funded projects, among other strategies.

Fourth, leveraging employment service centers in various locations, we assist farmers and herders in finding employment outside their farms or pastures in an orderly manner, respecting their work preferences and individual capabilities. We also address their needs concerning food, accommodation, transportation and rights protection, ensuring their concerns are addressed. Thank you.

Shou Xiaoli:

Following the press conference, the Chinese and international journalists on site today will continue their visit to Xizang. If you still have questions, you can continue to learn more during the trip. Thank you to all the speakers, and thank you to all the journalists who participated. I would like to extend a special thank you to the journalists who traveled from afar. That concludes today's press conference. Goodbye, everyone.

Translated and edited by Zhu bochen, Chen Xinyan, Lin Liyao, Zhang Tingting, Zhang Jiaqi, Wang Xingguang, Yang Chuanli, Liao Jiaxin, Wang Wei, Wang Qian, Liu Sitong, Zhang Junmian, Li Huiru, Li Xiao, Fan Junmei, Huang Shan, David Ball, and Jay Birbeck. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.