Northeast China is undergoing a dramatic job market transformation, boosted by local resources and policy support. Young returnees are building diverse ventures, from characteristic farming to cross-border e-commerce. New roles in winter industries are also helping to grow the region’s development. Guan Yang reports from Jilin Province.
Twenty-nine-year-old Niu Ming returned to Huinan County in Jilin Province, leading 30 local families into goose farming with free technical guidance and regular on-site support.
NIU MING Goose Farmer Huinan County, Jilin Province “I come here every day. I also check on the goose farms belonging to other farmers in the village.”
Niu has built a sustainable industrial chain for villagers, boosting yields and securing sales, with the local farming community’s annual income exceeding two million yuan in 2025.
NIU MING Goose Farmer Huinan County, Jilin Province “I think young people nowadays shouldn’t just chase those fancy, high-profile jobs. As I say, if everyone thinks that way, who will do the work in the countryside?”
Twenty-one-year-old sports major Wang Mian is carving her own path too, trading the university for the slopes. As a ski coach, Wang has turned her lifelong passion into a fulfilling career.
GUAN YANG Tonghua, Jilin Province “Today’s youth are not just chasing stable jobs, they are also carving out unique careers like rural startups and ski coaching.”
WANG MIAN Ski Coach Wanfeng Ski Resort, Jilin Province “There’s a quote I love deeply: ‘Passion brings boundless motivation.’ If you work just for a living, it’s easy to back down when facing difficulties.”
ZHAO BAOJIAN Director Wanfeng Mountain Sports Center, Jilin Province “Ski resorts aren’t only in northeast China; there are indoor ones nationwide. China has over 700 ski resorts, nearly 50 large-scale ones, each needing about 200 coaches. I believe the ice and snow market offers huge employment opportunities for young people.”
Whether they are a goose farmer fueling rural growth with industrial entrepreneurship or a young ski coach turning passion into a career – returnees to Jilin Province are rewriting the rulebook for modern careers. They’re tapping into local strengths, creating fresh opportunities, and infusing the region’s development with youthful energy. GUAN YANG, CGTN.
Source – https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-01-27/VHJhbnNjcmlwdDg4NzA0/index.html