BEIJING -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang has signed an order of the State Council to issue a set of regulations on the management of Chinese citizens employed by foreign diplomatic and consular missions in China.

The 12-article regulations, which will come into effect on Jan 1, 2026, are aimed at facilitating the recruitment of Chinese citizens by foreign diplomatic and consular missions in China while protecting the legal rights and interests of Chinese employees.

According to the regulatory document, to hire Chinese citizens, foreign diplomatic missions should release job and recruitment information through a platform established by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Such missions should also sign service agreements with agencies appointed by local foreign affairs offices and departments -- clarifying issues like the rights and interests of Chinese employees, the regulations state.?