Minimum wage hikes sweep China in 'common prosperity' push

Trend risks a production exodus over costs already higher than Southeast Asia's

20211201N China factory

A worker at a mask factory in Shanghai. The hikes are expected to most benefit migrants from rural areas working in cities. © Reuters

TAKASHI KAWAKAMI, Nikkei staff writer

GUANGZHOU -- Chinese provinces have responded to President Xi Jinping's "common prosperity" campaign by hiking minimum wages, but higher labor costs could prompt manufacturers to shift production elsewhere.

Twenty out of China's 31 provincial-level regions have increased their minimum wages so far in 2021.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored ContentThis content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.