{"id":28036,"date":"2026-07-04T22:07:43","date_gmt":"2026-07-04T14:07:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/?p=28036"},"modified":"2026-07-04T22:07:46","modified_gmt":"2026-07-04T14:07:46","slug":"gig-work-in-china","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/gig-work-in-china\/","title":{"rendered":"Gig Work in China from Side Hustle to Mainstream Career"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>For many <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"inside_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/tag\/foreign\/\" title=\"View all posts in foreign\" >foreign<\/a> professionals, gig work in China once conjured images of <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"inside_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/tag\/food\/\" title=\"View all posts in food\" >food<\/a> delivery riders and ride-hailing drivers \u2014 temporary, low-skilled, and peripheral to the \u201creal\u201d economy. By 2026, that picture is outdated. China\u2018s <a href=\"https:\/\/opinion-app.people.cn\/n1\/2026\/0617\/c462004-40742061.html%5Breference:0%5D\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/opinion-app.people.cn\/n1\/2026\/0617\/c462004-40742061.html%5Breference:0%5D\" class=\"broken_link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">gig economy<\/a> has grown into a mainstream <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"inside_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/tag\/employment\/\" title=\"View all posts in employment\">employment<\/a> channel, with 280 million workers participating in 2025 and projections of 320 million by the end of 2026 \u2014 <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"inside_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/tag\/accounting\/\" title=\"View all posts in accounting\">accounting<\/a> for over 44% of the country\u2019s total employed population. This article examines the data behind this transformation, the regulatory changes reshaping the industry, and what these developments mean for <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"inside_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/tag\/foreign-talent\/\" title=\"View all posts in foreign talent\">foreign talent<\/a> considering gig work <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"inside_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/tag\/opportunities\/\" title=\"View all posts in opportunities\">opportunities<\/a> in China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"612\" height=\"459\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/2026\/07\/20260704135536190.png?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" alt=\"gig work\" class=\"wp-image-28038\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/2026\/07\/20260704135536190.png 612w, https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/2026\/07\/20260704135536190-400x300.png 400w, https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/2026\/07\/20260704135536190-200x150.png 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 612px) 100vw, 612px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_73 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/gig-work-in-china\/#The_Numbers_of_Gig_Work\" title=\"The Numbers of Gig Work\">The Numbers of Gig Work<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/gig-work-in-china\/#Who_Are_Chinas_Gig_Workers\" title=\"Who Are China\u2019s Gig Workers\">Who Are China\u2019s Gig Workers<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/gig-work-in-china\/#2026_The_Year_of_Compliance_for_Gig_Work\" title=\"2026 The Year of Compliance for Gig Work\">2026 The Year of Compliance for Gig Work<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/gig-work-in-china\/#Opportunities_and_Limitations_for_Foreign_Talent\" title=\"Opportunities and Limitations for Foreign Talent\">Opportunities and Limitations for Foreign Talent<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/gig-work-in-china\/#Practical_Advice_for_Foreign_Professionals\" title=\"Practical Advice for Foreign Professionals\">Practical Advice for Foreign Professionals<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/gig-work-in-china\/#Conclusion\" title=\"Conclusion\">Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Numbers_of_Gig_Work\"><\/span><strong><strong>The Numbers of Gig Work<\/strong><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>China\u2018s flexible employment <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"inside_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/tag\/market\/\" title=\"View all posts in market\">market<\/a> has seen sustained growth. According to iResearch consulting data, the market reached RMB 2.2 trillion in 2025 and is projected to approach RMB 2.3 trillion in 2026<a href=\"http:\/\/field.10jqka.com.cn\/20260424\/c676247646.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a>. The number of gig workers exceeded 280 million in 2025 and is expected to reach 320 million by the end of 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Perhaps more striking is the demographic shift. Among flexible workers, the proportion of individuals aged 24 and below stands at 60%, and those with a college degree or above also account for 60%<a href=\"http:\/\/field.10jqka.com.cn\/20260424\/c676247646.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a>. This overturns the outdated stereotype that gig work is synonymous with low-skilled or low-education employment. According to a 2026 report, over 70% of gig workers are aged between 18 and 35. The typical gig worker today is young and educated \u2014 not marginal, but increasingly mainstream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Earnings have also improved significantly. China\u2018s average blue-collar monthly income rose from RMB 2,868 in 2013 to RMB 6,2<a target=\"_blank\" class=\"inside_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/tag\/30\/\" title=\"View all posts in 30\">30<\/a> in 2025, a cumulative increase of 117%. The income gap between blue-collar and white-collar workers narrowed from a peak of RMB 3,344 in 2013 to RMB 2,250 in 2025. Some high-skilled gig roles earn considerably more: certified maternity matrons average RMB 10,128 per month, while high-frequency delivery riders in first-tier cities earn around RMB 10,100 per month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Who_Are_Chinas_Gig_Workers\"><\/span><strong><strong>Who Are China\u2019s Gig Workers<\/strong><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The gig workforce is now remarkably diverse. Beyond food delivery and ride-hailing \u2014 which remain the most common types of gig work&nbsp;\u2014 three groups have emerged as significant participants:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Young professionals (under 35):<\/strong>\u00a0They are drawn to gig work for its low entry barriers, quick income settlement, and schedule flexibility.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Parents and retirees:<\/strong>\u00a0Parents with young children and retired seniors have increasingly joined the gig workforce.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Highly skilled specialists:<\/strong>\u00a0Knowledge-based and skilled gig workers now account for over 35% of the flexible employment population, according to the China Flexible Employment Development Report (2026). Engineers, <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"inside_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/tag\/ai\/\" title=\"View all posts in AI\">AI<\/a> consultants, <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"inside_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/tag\/data-analyst\/\" title=\"View all posts in data analyst\">data analyst<\/a>s, and <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"inside_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/tag\/marketing\/\" title=\"View all posts in marketing\">marketing<\/a> professionals are offering their services on a project basis.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"612\" height=\"408\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/2026\/07\/20260704140112892.png?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" alt=\"flexible employment\" class=\"wp-image-28039\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/2026\/07\/20260704140112892.png 612w, https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/2026\/07\/20260704140112892-440x293.png 440w, https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/2026\/07\/20260704140112892-220x147.png 220w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 612px) 100vw, 612px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>From the employer\u2018s perspective, the logic has shifted. Small and medium-sized enterprises saw flexible employment demand surge 58% year-over-year, with a 12-million-unit gap in high-skilled positions \u2014 particularly in digital and service skills<a href=\"http:\/\/field.10jqka.com.cn\/20260424\/c676247646.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a>. Rather than viewing gig work as a cost-cutting measure, many companies now see it as a strategic tool to access specialized skills without long-term overhead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2026_The_Year_of_Compliance_for_Gig_Work\"><\/span><strong><strong>2026 The Year of Compliance for Gig Work<\/strong><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The rapid expansion of gig work has prompted a regulatory overhaul. 2026 is widely referred to in the industry as the \u201ccompliance year\u201d<a href=\"http:\/\/field.10jqka.com.cn\/20260424\/c676247646.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a>. Two major changes are reshaping the landscape:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First, the full implementation of&nbsp;<strong>Golden Tax Phase IV<\/strong>&nbsp;has created a real-time data exchange system linking companies, platforms, banks, tax authorities, and industrial parks<a href=\"http:\/\/field.10jqka.com.cn\/20260424\/c676247646.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a>. Tax audit response times have been compressed to within 12 hours<a href=\"http:\/\/field.10jqka.com.cn\/20260424\/c676247646.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Second, the industry now operates under the&nbsp;<strong>\u201cSix Authentications\u201d<\/strong>&nbsp;standard \u2014 requiring verified <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"inside_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/tag\/business\/\" title=\"View all posts in business\">business<\/a>, personnel, contracts, funds, invoices, and evidence<a href=\"http:\/\/field.10jqka.com.cn\/20260424\/c676247646.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a>. Platforms must also achieve \u201cfive-flow alignment\u201d (business, fund, contract, invoice, and data flows) to maintain their operating licenses<a href=\"http:\/\/field.10jqka.com.cn\/20260424\/c676247646.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The impact has been significant. The number of flexible employment platforms has fallen from 327 in 2024 to 189 in 2026 \u2014 nearly 40% eliminated due to insufficient compliance or <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"inside_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/tag\/risk-management\/\" title=\"View all posts in risk management\">risk management<\/a> capabilities<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hgdaily.com.cn\/w\/3\/ciye\/4O1184O212173O0O1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a>. The top ten platforms now control 89% of the market share<a href=\"http:\/\/field.10jqka.com.cn\/20260424\/c676247646.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a>. Nationwide, over 300 non-compliant tax parks have been closed and more than 220\u8fdd\u89c4 platforms investigated. In one high-profile case, 19 licensed flexible employment platforms in Fujian province were investigated for fictitious transactions involving RMB 20-30 billion, affecting over 8,000 downstream enterprises<a href=\"https:\/\/caijing.chinadaily.com.cn\/a\/202602\/05\/WS69842a75a310942cc499e5f3.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the same time, worker protections are expanding. In May 2026, the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council issued the first-ever central government document specifically dedicated to service management for new employment groups. The policy sets a target that by 2027, gig workers will enjoy standardized labor practices, improved working conditions, and protected rights. Additionally, a pilot occupational injury insurance scheme for platform and gig workers has been expanded nationwide, covering more than 29.9 million participants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Opportunities_and_Limitations_for_Foreign_Talent\"><\/span><strong>Opportunities and Limitations for Foreign <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"inside_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/tag\/talent\/\" title=\"View all posts in Talent\">Talent<\/a><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Opportunities<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The formalization of gig work opens new pathways <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"inside_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/tag\/for-foreign-professionals\/\" title=\"View all posts in for foreign professionals\">for foreign professionals<\/a> into the <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"inside_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/tag\/chinese\/\" title=\"View all posts in Chinese\">Chinese<\/a> <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"inside_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/tag\/job-market\/\" title=\"View all posts in job market\">job market<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Lower entry barriers:<\/strong>\u00a0Project-based roles often have less rigid <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"inside_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/tag\/requirements\/\" title=\"View all posts in requirements\">requirements<\/a> than permanent positions. A foreign specialist can secure a short-term consulting contract without going through the full permanent hiring process, making it easier to test the market or build local experience.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Direct skill monetization:<\/strong>\u00a0High-demand technical skills \u2014 AI, <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"inside_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/tag\/data-analysis\/\" title=\"View all posts in data analysis\">data analysis<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"inside_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/tag\/cross-border\/\" title=\"View all posts in cross-border\">cross-border<\/a> market intelligence, multilingual content creation \u2014 can be priced and delivered on a project basis. With a 12-million-unit gap in high-skilled positions, skilled foreign professionals are well-positioned<a href=\"http:\/\/field.10jqka.com.cn\/20260424\/c676247646.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Remote gig work opportunities:<\/strong>\u00a0The rise of digital platforms means some gig work can be delivered remotely, further reducing geographic barriers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Limitations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, significant challenges remain. The fundamental legal framework for foreign nationals working in China is still built around employer-sponsored employment. Article 41 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law requires that foreigners working in China must obtain a work permit and a work-type residence permit. Project-based gig work \u2014 where there may be no single \u201cemployer\u201d in the traditional sense \u2014 does not yet have a clear legal pathway under current regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>China does not have a dedicated digital nomad visa in 2026. Foreign nationals entering China on tourist or family visit visas and engaging in gig work for overseas clients while receiving compensation face legal uncertainty. While work permit procedures have improved \u2014 the \u201ccard-certificate integration\u201d reform has enabled fully online processing\u3010?\u3011\u2014 the fundamental requirement remains: obtaining legal work authorization requires a formal employment relationship with a Chinese entity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Practical_Advice_for_Foreign_Professionals\"><\/span><strong>Practical Advice for <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"inside_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/tag\/foreign-professionals\/\" title=\"View all posts in Foreign Professionals\">Foreign Professionals<\/a><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Two Distinct Paths<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For foreign professionals considering gig work in China, it is essential to distinguish between two scenarios:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Path One: Project-based work for a Chinese employer<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 This requires securing a formal offer through legitimate <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"inside_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/tag\/recruitment\/\" title=\"View all posts in recruitment\">recruitment<\/a> channels such as\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/hiredchina.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">hiredchina.com<\/a>, obtaining a work permit, and applying for the appropriate visa and residence permit. Once authorized, hybrid and project-based arrangements are increasingly common.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Path Two: Gig work for overseas clients while physically present in China<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 The legal status of this arrangement remains unclear. Individuals pursuing this path should carefully assess the legal risks and consult with qualified legal professionals.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Platform Selection<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The gig platform market in 2026 has consolidated significantly. When selecting a platform:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Verify that the platform holds a valid tax withholding authorization<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensure the contracting entity, invoicing entity, and license holder are the same entity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Legitimate platforms do not charge upfront fees from workers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Skill Preparation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Package your expertise into project-based service offerings (AI consulting, cross-border market analysis, multilingual content creation, etc.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Build a portfolio and project case studies \u2014 these function as your \u201cnew resume\u201d in the gig economy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Knowledge-based and skilled gig workers now account for over 35% of flexible employment, and this share is growing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/freelancer-triumph-china-gig-economy\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/freelancer-triumph-china-gig-economy\/\">Gig work in China<\/a> has transformed from a side hustle into a mainstream career path for 280 million workers \u2014 and the number continues to grow. The industry is undergoing a significant compliance-driven consolidation, raising standards for both platforms and workers. For foreign professionals, gig work offers a potential pathway into the <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"inside_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/tag\/chinese-job-market\/\" title=\"View all posts in Chinese job market\">Chinese job market<\/a> with lower initial barriers than traditional permanent employment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, these opportunities must be pursued within the existing legal framework. The most reliable path remains securing legitimate work authorization through established channels such as\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/hiredchina.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">hiredchina.com<\/a>, and then taking advantage of the flexible and project-based arrangements that an increasing number of Chinese companies now offer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"For many foreign professionals, gig work in China once conjured images of food delivery riders and ride-hailing drivers \u2014 temporary, low-skilled, and peripheral to the \u201creal\u201d economy. By 2026, that &#8230;","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":28038,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[3643,954,3947,1948,60,3753,3917,3932,1794,1211,3788,1780,4081,1972,3937,3786,306,3918,1209,559,1968,3727,1696,2805,3778],"class_list":["post-28036","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-3643","tag-accounting","tag-ai","tag-business","tag-china","tag-chinese","tag-chinese-job-market","tag-cross-border","tag-data-analysis","tag-data-analyst","tag-employment","tag-food","tag-for-foreign-professionals","tag-foreign","tag-foreign-professionals","tag-foreign-talent","tag-hiredchina","tag-job-market","tag-market","tag-marketing","tag-opportunities","tag-recruitment","tag-requirements","tag-risk-management","tag-talent"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28036","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28036"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28036\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28042,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28036\/revisions\/28042"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28038"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28036"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28036"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28036"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}