China's economy should maintain sustained, fast growth in coming years, bringing plenty of job opportunities for college and university graduates, Minister of Education Zhou Ji said here Thursday.

Zhou made the remarks at a press conference held by the Information Office of the State Council, saying that during the past few years, a job hunting system has been introduced for Chinese college and university students.

The key to the job problem of graduates is economic development, Zhou acknowledged. He added that the recent increase of job opportunities for postgraduates is closely linked with fast growing national economy.

The Chinese government, up to the State Council and down to local administrations, should provide the best policy and service to help college graduates find jobs, Zhou said. The already established information-sharing system should be better used, and the market demand-oriented teaching reform should be further carried out.

According to Zhou, China launched a program in recent years, calling on graduates to go to work in western part of China. This practice has yielded good results, and opened up a new trail for graduates to choose their jobs, Zhou said.

(Xinhua News Agency January 28, 2005)