China’s unemployment rate fell in June to the lowest level so far this year, official data show. Officials suggest economic stimulus measures have contributed to the improvement.

China’s National Bureau of Statistics announced on Monday the unemployment rate in 31 major cities decreased to 5.06 percent in June, down from this year’s peak of 5.19 percent registered in March.

More than 7 million new jobs were created in urban areas in the first half of this year, compared to an official target of 10 million new jobs for the whole year, Chinese official news agency Xinhua reported. In the first six months, the unemployment rate averaged 5.1 percent.

Feng Nailin, Director of the Population and Employment Statistics Department at the bureau, argued the overall employment situation “remained stable” in the first half of this year despite a year-on-year slowing in economic growth.

In an interview with the bureau’s newspaper China Information News, Mr Feng said the measures launched by the Chinese Central Government, including the promotion of innovative enterprises, “have taken effect” in stabilising growth and employment.

China’s economy expanded by 7 percent in the second quarter of this year, beating several analysts’ estimates.