However, on his special day in April, he picked up an order from a bakery and saw a note attached saying: "This cake is a special treat for whoever is the delivery person. Don't forget to take time out to eat it."

Tang did stop to eat the cake, marveling at the coincidence of picking up such a gift on his birthday and moved to tears that a customer would be so kind-hearted.

During the COVID-19 epidemic, China's couriers and food delivery people played a crucial role. They ensured people got their medicines, meals and other daily necessities. After the epidemic was brought under control, the public rewarded them for their essential service in various ways.

Tang's profession has received increasing recognition and respect from the public in recent years. Based on the important role they played in society, at the beginning of 2020 this profession was officially recognized as one of 16 new occupations by several government departments, including the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MHRSS).

Social recognition 

Tang and his delivery peers across the country felt gratified after knowing their profession has received official recognition.

"It gives me more confidence," Ma Qianlong, 28, a deliveryman for Meituan Dianping, China's largest on-demand service platform, told Beijing Review. "It shows recognition of the government and public."

Generally, having been officially recognized, the new professions would be given preferential policies to improve their working environment, and vocational education and training courses for the new professions will also be improved, according to officials of MHRSS.

Live-streaming host Li Jiaqi, known as China's best lipstick seller, has benefited from his profession. On June 29, Li was granted permanent residency by the Shanghai Municipal Government, identifying him as a special talent, entitling him to faster approval for a hukou, or household registration.

With the decades-long residence permit system nationwide set to be loosened, a hukou in large cities such as Beijing and Shanghai is still prized, as it is considered a passport to better social welfare services. However, with live-streaming showcasing its key role in reviving the sluggish retail sales during the COVID-19 epidemic, cities are competing with each other to attract live-streaming talent. Li is one of the people being awarded.

In July, live-streaming sales host was added to the official occupation list by MHRSS. Social recognition is driving live-streaming hosting, making it an increasingly lucrative career choice.

According to the 2019 report on live-streaming hosts published by social media platform Momo in January 2020, about 24.1 percent of full-time live-streaming hosts made more than 10,000 yuan ($1,429) a month in 2019.

The report also found that most hosts are confident about their career prospects, with 83.3 percent saying that they will stay as hosts for the coming two years.

Technology facilitated 

Lush grasslands, golden wheat fields and winding rivers—Xiao Xing has seen it all through his "third eye" otherwise known as his drone.

"I love the thrill [of this work]," the full-time drone operator said.

Back in 2012, Xiao was struggling with his coal business which saw a decline in demand. He was drawn to watching his friend operating a drone to fertilize rape flowers. It piqued his interest.

Xiao found that drones could be widely used for sowing, fertilizing and artificial pollination in agriculture. A drone operator has become a popular profession due to its creativity and relaxed workload, especially since the boom in Internet advertising, short videos and automated agriculture.

Xiao quit his job to devote himself to drones in 2016, after acquiring his drone license following a 15-day intensive training program. Now, the skill brings him a decent income as the machine boosts the efficiency of sowing and crop-dusting.

As the COVID-19 epidemic wanes across China, farmers expanded their planting areas and increased their production input. Xiao saw his job prospects soar—literally.

"Drones are over 10 times more efficient than skilled manpower and they are cost-effective and environmentally friendly," Xiao said. "I believe drones will be a job in high demand."

Xiao's occupation was included as one of 13 new professions identified by MHRSS, the State Administration for Market Regulation and the National Bureau of Statistics in April 2019. The new professions are mainly in areas of advanced technology.

"Rapidly developing technology is creating new jobs while weeding out outdated professions," said Chinese Academy of Social Sciences expert Zhang Yi.

Rising stars 

Although not officially recognized by the government, some new professions, such as online restaurant decorators, pet photographers, professional wardrobe organizers and manicurists, have sprung up alongside other burgeoning industries and digital transformations in China.

"They have emerged to cope with rising new personalized demand, and have helped to stabilize the job market and boosted the economy," said a report by Meituan Dianping and Internet-based recruiting platform Zhaopin last year.

For example, Zhao Qianqing's profession has made headlines recently in Chinese media for its high demand and substantial income.

Having been a software sales assistant, she transformed her obsession with tidiness into a business of wardrobe organizing in Beijing based on her strong interest in decluttering.

Zhao has so far managed to serve over 100 clients, most of whom are now her regulars. "A good professional wardrobe organizer should not only sort out the mess in the room, but also sort out interpersonal relationships," she told Beijing Review.

Zhao said her job is to help clients rationally plan the relationship between space, objects, and people. "The purpose is to make every family member feel comfortable and build a harmonious family environment," she said.

She charges her clients 990 yuan ($141) for every linear meter of the closet reorganized. So far, Zhao's work has won good comments from her clients. Organizing wardrobes helps her earn around 10,000 yuan ($1,429) a month.

In Zhao's view, although fledgling professions like wardrobe organizers are not yet included in the new professions, lacking clear industry standards and regulations, she hopes that the government can improve policies to promote the healthy development of the new emerging professions.

Since April 2019, three batches of 38 new professions have been recognized by the government, constantly evolving traditional professional job categories. According to a survey conducted by China Youth Daily's social survey center, 96.1 percent of 2,000 young respondents aged 18-35 said they would like to pursue a new career if they had the opportunity.

(Print Edition Title: Jobs of the Future) 

Copyedited by Francisco Little 

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