(Yicai Global) April 12 -- The majority of Chinese white-collar workers believe that employers prefer hiring and promoting people under 35 even though the country is becoming more aware of age discrimination in the workplace, according to survey findings.

The age of 35 is a key employment threshold, according to 85 percent of office workers polled by recruitment platform Zhaopin.Com. Some 47 percent of them said it is difficult to find a job after 35.

The topic is trending in workplaces. During the Two Sessions, the top political meetings of this year, several representatives called for anti-age discrimination laws on employment and stricter law enforcement.

Some of the most susceptible industries to age discrimination are the internet industry with quick cycles, the highly competitive financial industry, and the cultural industries that favor creativity. Some 53 percent of internet workers said that "it is hard to find a job after 35," and the share was 52 percent for people working in finance, culture, and sports.

Age anxiety is particularly prominent in the internet industry. According to public data, among all employees in China, just under 33 percent are under 35 but almost 65 percent of them are working in communication, software, and information technology.

Internet giants hire young employees who can handle the notoriously stressful workloads and assimilate with the target group of young users. Seven out of 10 internet industry employees are under 35.

Governments are taking the lead in changing attitudes. This year, many regional governments have raised the upper limit for public servant tests to 40 years of age from 35 years, which might stimulate many industries and enterprises to follow suit, according to experts.

Editors: Shi Yi, Emmi Laine, Xiao Yi