(Yicai Global) July 23 -- China's urban registered unemployment rate fell to its lowest level in many years at the end of the first half, as millions of new jobs were created.

The rate was 3.83 percent at of the end of June, down from 3.95 percent a year earlier, the human resources and social security ministry said today. A total of 7.52 million new jobs were generated in cities from January to June, an increase of 170,000 over the same period last year. The ministry did not give any figures for rural China.

Employment has maintained good momentum, ministry spokesman Lu Aihong said at a press conference in Beijing, adding that the next step is to help college graduates to find work or start their own businesses. Measures such as secured loans and business startup grants must be further implemented to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation among people from all walks of life, she added.

As lifelong vocational training is also very important, the government will issue guidelines for all regions to come up with policies to help the unemployed find work.

China will step up measures to raise employment and alleviate poverty, promote labor service cooperation, provide relief to workers laid off because of overcapacity, and improve public services for job seekers.

Editor: Emmi Laine