Hiring index signals further job weakness

The hiring intentions index of the property and construction industry is the highest among all monitored industries, reaching 77.1 for the third quarter.

When all other property sectors are facing more challenges, commercial property, especially retail property, is relatively better off amid economic uncertainties, according to Joe Zhou, heard of research for Jones Lang LaSalle East China.

Hudson found that the commercial property sector is being driven by tourism properties and cultural and creative industry properties, among others.

"Overseas capital is more sensitive to the central government's tightening policies. But domestic capital is showing more confidence in the property market" including these booming sub-sectors, said Bi.

About 71.2 percent of the respondents in the healthcare and life sciences industries said they would hire more staff in the third quarter. At least four of the world's top 10 pharmaceutical companies are setting up global centers in China, especially research and development centers, resulting in higher demand from this industry, as Bi explained.

"We will definitely hire more staff in China this year, especially since we set up a joint venture with Zhejiang Hisun Pharmaceutical Co in September last year," said Lyu Hong, vice-president of human resources for Asia-Pacific at Pfizer.

Lyu added that the company has attached great importance to R&D in China and thus has a robust demand for related staff.

Simon Lance, regional director of China at the global specialist recruiting group Hays, agreed that the healthcare industry will further grow in China as the nation ages.

Wang Ying contributed to this story.