The government and recruiting websites are strengthening joint efforts to hold job fairs online for fresh graduates during the novel coronavirus outbreak, Weng Tiehui, the vice-minister, said at a news conference.

They have already held 12 online job fairs and 18 more are under preparation for about 8.74 million graduates this year.

"Normally, graduates need to meet with employers face to face and exchange information. However, the virus outbreak poses a challenge to the offline interview," Weng said.

She said to overcome the challenge, the ministry has sought cooperation with local governments, universities and recruitment websites to offer highly matched job fairs to different graduates.

"We also encourage university teachers to closely monitor their students' employment options and guide them to find suitable jobs, " Weng said.

Moreover, the ministry launched a 24-hour online service system on its website to better aid the recruitment process on Friday.