Regarding the report that flexible workers in China, who engage in non-regular employment and other flexible work styles, have exceeded 300 million, Hong Kong media outlet Hong Kong 01 published an opinion piece on the 9th titled "What problems do these numbers, beyond imagination, indicate?"

The article mentioned that a report recently released by the "China New Employment Form Research Center," jointly established by Capital University of Economics and Business and the China Association for Employment Promotion, revealed that China's flexible workers have exceeded 300 million. It explained that the report analyzed the blue-collar labor market for 2024-25, with ride-hailing drivers, food delivery personnel, couriers, housekeepers, live streamers, truck drivers, manufacturing workers, construction workers, cleaners, security guards, and others being the subjects of the survey.

It then pointed out that "the proportion of flexible workers among blue-collar employees is very large, projected to reach 280 million by 2025 and 320 million by 2026, transforming from a supplementary role to a crucial pillar in the employment market." It stated, "While this figure itself is merely an estimate, it holds a certain persuasiveness as an indicator of changes in China's employment market."

Furthermore, it pointed out that "if the prediction becomes a reality, it means that a significant structural change has occurred in China's labor market." It stated, "According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the total number of employed persons at the end of 2025 is 720 million. The figure of 320 million accounts for approximately 44% of the total employed population, a ratio that exceeds many people's imagination," and listed two reasons behind the rapid spread of flexible employment, moving away from an era where stable employment was the ideal work style.

The first point is "the changing Chinese economy and people's values." It introduced that "not a few flexible workers have voluntarily chosen this work style, seeking flexible and diverse ways of working without being tied to specific companies or workplaces." "People's choices are always the result of a cost-benefit analysis. In times of hardship, stable factory work would have been chosen, but with improved living standards and the development of the internet, it is now possible to earn a decent income through flexible work. People's choices have changed. The report also points out that current flexible workers are characterized by 'not struggling to survive, but having limited room for development.'"

The second point is "that not a few people have been compelled to enter flexible employment." It pointed out that "many flexible workers are forced to work long hours without sufficient social security. In particular, there is a reality that a large number of unemployed people, who have rapidly increased in recent years, have flowed into this sector. A 2025 survey on ride-hailing drivers showed that 77% of respondents had transitioned to the industry after becoming unemployed." It also mentioned that "the vehicles involved in recent accidents in Liaoning Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region were all carrying day laborers."

The article used the proverb "Min wa kuni no moto, moto katakereba kuni yasushi" (The people are the foundation of the nation; if the foundation is solid, the nation will be at peace) and concluded, "China needs to directly confront changes in its labor market, economic environment, and people's awareness, while also paying attention to the impacts brought about by slowing economic growth and the decrease in stable employment. Furthermore, in preparation for the future, it is required to promote healthy economic development and to focus efforts on enhancing social security for the vast number of flexible workers and creating new employment opportunities." (Translation/Editing by Kitada)