Navigating a flood of graduates: China's youth grapple with job mismatch, low pay, and fierce competition

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With over 12 million university graduates expected in 2025, the gap between jobseekers’ expectations and available opportunities continues to widen. BEIJING: On a brisk Friday morning, 26-year-old Li Mengqi navigated the crowded lobby of the Lishuiqiao Talent Market in Beijing. Clutching her résumé tightly, she moved deliberately from booth to booth, pausing to speak earnestly with recruiters amid the busy buzz of young jobseekers. Li is hopeful yet anxious. “The competition for interviews is