Candidates look at employment opportunities at a job fair in Nanjing, Jiangsu province. (Photo: China Daily)

The novel coronavirus outbreak poses a great challenge for college graduates seeking jobs this year, more so because the total number of college students likely to graduate in 2020 was a historic high of 8.74 million.

Employment for college graduates is of great importance in all countries, because they are the future of society.

Two kinds of measures by the government could ease the pressure on college graduates: providing them practical and direct support and/or formulating policies that encourage enterprises to survive and hire more graduates. The State Council, China's Cabinet, realizes the problem and is exploring the possibility for creating more job opportunities, such as of scientific research assistants, teachers and grassroots medical workers, or encouraging graduates to start their own businesses.

The government is also extending support to unemployed graduates from impoverished families and those from colleges in Hubei province, which was worst hit by the novel coronavirus outbreak.

A student loan extension policy, still under consideration, could greatly ease the economic burden on graduates facing difficulties finding a job.

The government should also help enterprises that are facing difficulties. Small and medium-sized enterprises account for 70 percent of all Chinese enterprises and hire the maximum number of graduates.

But they have suffered immensely from the novel coronavirus outbreak and are not in a position to hire college graduates who lack experience. The prosperity and survival of such enterprises is key to graduate employment. So any State support to stabilize them will be of great help.