view that construction work is largely manual labor. A closer look at the blueprint shows that these initiatives are far more than a list of investment and construction plans. Projects aimed at fostering new quality productive forces and those designed to improve people's livelihoods came in first and second by number, underscoring the country's development strategy that emphasizes investment in both physical assets and human capital.

Taken together, the projects offer a glimpse into how China's employment landscape is likely to evolve during the plan period. From skilled blue-collar roles in advanced infrastructure and manufacturing to high-end, cross-sector positions in emerging industries, the projects are expected to generate a broader, more diverse range of job opportunities. Infrastructure projects still make up an important part of the new five-year plan. But the shift from extensive expansion to smart, green and digital development is fundamentally transforming traditional blue-collar jobs and raising the skill requirements. This shift is evident across a wide range of infrastructure projects outlined in the plan, including a comprehensive national transportation network, a new-type energy system, modern water conservancy networks, and new infrastructure.

Zhang Linshan, a researcher at the Academy of Macroeconomic Research under the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), said that in large-scale new energy bases in desert and Gobi regions, more than 70 percent of jobs are skilled blue-collar positions. Such jobs require expertise in areas such as system commissioning and high-voltage operations, with certified operation and maintenance personnel earning 15,000 to 20,000 yuan (about $2,176 to $2,902) per month, he said. The market has already sent clear signals. Data from Guangdong's human resources and social security authorities show that in the Pearl River Delta, some highly skilled blue-collar workers earn more than 10,000 yuan a month, while top technicians in positions such as testing can make as much as 20,000 yuan. Wang Xiaoping, minister of human resources and social security, said China will deepen large-scale vocational skills training this year, with subsidized programs expected to benefit more than 10 million people. Targeted training will focus on sectors such as the low-altitude economy, new energy vehicles, AI, and elderly care services, in a bid to better align skills development with industrial and employment needs, Wang said. Experts said major national projects are no longer primarily a reservoir for absorbing low-skilled labor but are increasingly an important arena for blue-collar workers to upgrade their skills and raise their incomes. (Xinhua)