A suspense novelist had spent time memorizing the telegraph codes for common Chinese characters while studying at a vocational college 30 years ago. In the Chinese telegraph system, each character was assigned a four-digit code. However, by the time he graduated, telegraphs were no longer used by civilians, making his vocational training obsolete. Decades ago, telegraphs were a crucial tool for long-distance communication, but the process was slow, with messages sometimes taking five or six hours to be received. This is a stark contrast to the speed of communication we enjoy today.
A telegraph transmitter model on display at an exhibition in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, in June 2021
Dou Shuohua, a 65-year-old retiree, recalls working through the night as a telegrapher, especially after the devastating 1976 Tangshan earthquake. In the aftermath of the disaster, which claimed 240,000 lives in Hebei Province, people across China sent telegraphs to Tangshan to check on the safety of their loved ones. However, with the rise of modern communication tools like phones and fax machines, telegraphs have become obsolete in civilian life and are now primarily used for special purposes, such as in the military.
The occupation of telegrapher was removed from the 2015 version of the Occupational Classification Code of the People's Republic of China. This revision, which was the first since the code's initial publication in 1999, saw the removal of over 200 occupations. Among the other professions eliminated were embroiderer, bus conductor, and itinerant mender of pots.
Old professions
Technological advancements are a major contributor to the disappearance of certain occupations. In the 1990s, pagers were a popular communication tool. However, they could only receive messages, not send them. This limitation created a need for pager receptionists who would send messages to pager users on behalf of others. The process involved a caller contacting the receptionist to send their phone number to the pager user, who would then find a public phone to return the call. This job, held primarily by women, was once considered desirable due to its relatively high salary of 800 yuan (equivalent to $96 USD) per month, compared to the average monthly salary of 458 yuan ($55 USD) for urban employees in China in 1995.
The last batch of Bird pagers undergoing quality tests in 2002.
The leading pager brand stopped producing these simple wireless communications devices that year and switched to making cellphones
The switchman's job was physically demanding and relentless. Due to the eight coal mines near the station, numerous trains transporting coal would stop daily. An Guitao, a former switchman, often had to operate the switch over 200 times a day, leaving him with barely any time for lunch. However, with the modernization and automation of the railway system, the role of the switchman has been eliminated. Railroad staff members now control the railway switch electronically.
It's worth noting that although some traditional occupations have not disappeared, they have developed more subcategories.
For instance, the improvement of people's living standards has led to higher demand for food. People are no longer satisfied with just filling their stomachs. They need a wider variety of food and a healthier diet.
Therefore, new professions under the cook category have emerged, including Chinese food cook, Western food cook and public nutritionist, who provides nutritional guidance and spreads nutritional and food safety knowledge to promote public health.
A switchman at work at Baiheai Station in Laibin City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in south China, on August 21, 2020. Although the profession was deleted in the 2015 version of the Occupational Classification Code, there are still a few switchmen left at some small railway stations without automatic switches
Emerging needs
While some traditional occupations have disappeared, others have evolved and expanded into more specialized subcategories. For example, rising living standards have increased the demand for food, and people now seek greater variety and healthier options. This has led to the emergence of new professions within the cook category, such as Chinese food cook, Western food cook, and public nutritionist. Public nutritionists play a crucial role in promoting public health by providing nutritional guidance and disseminating knowledge about food safety.
China's commitment to achieving peak carbon emissions before 2030 and carbon neutrality before 2060 has led to a growing demand for building energy efficiency. This demand has given rise to a new profession known as a building energy conservation and emission reduction consultant, which was officially recognized in the 2022 version of the Occupational Classification Code.
Zhang Weiqiu, a building energy conservation and emission reduction consultant for JD Property, emphasized the need for expertise in various areas to be qualified in this field. According to Weiqiu, a consultant should possess knowledge in building insulation, solar photovoltaic power generation, and rainwater recycling.
Building energy conservation and emission reduction consultants play a crucial role throughout a building's lifecycle. During the design phase, they optimize energy efficiency by considering factors like building orientation, materials, and heating/cooling systems. In the construction phase, they collaborate with the construction team to ensure proper installation of energy-saving equipment. Once the building is operational, consultants monitor energy consumption and suggest further reduction strategies. Additionally, the rise of new industries like esports and livestreaming has created new professions, reflecting the dynamic nature of the job market.
Short video platforms have created new job opportunities, such as livestream hosts and short play directors. A report by the Chinese Academy of Personnel Science highlighted the significant impact of these platforms on the job market, stating that they have fostered numerous new occupations. The report also found that over 80% of traditional occupations have integrated with short video platforms, leading to the emergence of innovative professions like real estate agents who utilize livestreaming to sell houses.
In February of this year, a report released by the China Audio-Video and Digital Publishing Association's electronic sports committee revealed the impressive growth of China's esports industry. The report stated that in 2022, the industry achieved a revenue of 144.5 billion yuan ($20.1 billion), and the number of Chinese esports audiences and players reached a staggering 488 million. These figures place China at the forefront of the global esports market.
The thriving esports industry in China has led to a surge in demand for esports players. A report published in 2020 projected a need for 2 million esports players between 2020 and 2025. This growing recognition of esports as a legitimate profession is reflected in the inclusion of "esports player" in the 2022 version of the Occupational Classification Code.
Over the past 45 years of reform and opening up, China's occupational landscape has undergone significant changes, with a continuous expansion in the number of recognized professions. The 2022 version of the Occupational Classification Code, for instance, added 158 new professions compared to the 2015 version, bringing the total number to 1,639. This evolution of the occupational system has necessitated adaptation among individuals, as seen in the case of Cai Jun, who transitioned from aspiring telegrapher to successful suspense novelist.
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