China on Monday unveiled a wide-ranging programme to retrain rural workers and expand the domestic service industry, signalling a fresh push to shift the world’s second-largest economy toward consumption-driven growth. The plan, jointly released by the Ministry of Commerce and eight other agencies, outlines 14 tasks that include vocational training, social-security coverage and easier access to affordable urban housing. Authorities aim to help rural migrants move into roles such as domestic and care services, and to integrate more quickly into city life. China has almost 300 million rural migrants, with roughly 100 million expected to reach retirement age over the next decade. Policy makers say broadening career paths for this group is essential to sustaining growth and narrowing income gaps. Officials estimate the domestic service sector already employs more than 30 million workers across more than one million enterprises and generates annual revenue exceeding 1.1 trillion yuan (about US$154 billion). Expanding the industry is expected to create jobs, lift household incomes and spur consumer spending. The announcement follows Premier Li Qiang’s recent pledge to take “forceful steps” to boost consumption and underscores Beijing’s effort to counter global protectionist pressures while drafting the country’s next Five-Year Plan. Li has also highlighted deeper trade and investment ties with Ethiopia under the Belt and Road Initiative as part of China’s broader strategy to support growth.