China has created more than 42 million jobs in urban areas in the past five years, achieving a gradual improvement in the country's employment situation.

China Central Television reports that the unemployment rate was held at under 5% from 2001 to 2004, at 3.6%, 4%, 4.3% and 4.2%, respectively. Employment experts predict that this year's unemployment rate will be under 5% also.

The report attributes this achievement to central and local government spending and the implementation of successful employment policies.

In the past five years, 560,000 people have started their own individual businesses, creating 1.4 million jobs.

Officials with the labour security ministry say the employment issue still poses a tough challenge and undertake to create still more jobs in the next five years. 

(CRI October 9, 2005)