China weighs up recognizing 12 new occupations

China has proposed recognizing 12 new occupations ranging from digital twin engineers and embodied artificial intelligence robot technicians to corporate sustainability planners, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.

The ministry recently released a draft list of the new occupations for public consultation. The comment period will run through July 17 before the occupations are formally added to the country's official occupational classification system.

Several of the proposed occupations are tied to emerging technologies.

Among them is digital twin engineering technician, a profession focused on developing, designing, implementing and maintaining digital twin technologies that create virtual replicas of physical systems for monitoring and optimization.

Another newly proposed occupation is embodied AI robot application technician, whose responsibilities include collecting and processing multimodal data, fine-tuning AI models, deploying and debugging robot hardware and software, and monitoring system performance using remote operation devices, digital spatial tools and simulation platforms.

The ministry also proposed recognizing industrial product digital modelers, who use digital design and product data management software to create three-dimensional product models, design components and generate engineering drawings.

The draft list includes corporate sustainability planners, professionals for planning and managing environmental, social and governance strategies for businesses.

Additionally, several occupations support the transition toward cleaner energy. They include microgrid operators, who monitor and manage distributed energy systems, optimize electricity use and oversee grid-connected and off-grid operations, as well as hydrogen fuel cell manufacturers and water electrolysis hydrogen production operators, both designated as green occupations.

The proposed list also features occupations in scientific research and healthcare, including laboratory animal engineering technicians, who develop breeding systems and advance laboratory animal technologies.

Other proposed occupations include ship shore-based management engineering technicians, sports data analysts, satellite navigation equipment assembly and commissioning technicians, and incense artisans, according to the draft list.