BEIJING — China created more than 13 million new jobs in cities this year as part of the efforts to stabilize a slowing economy, a Chinese official said.

Minister of Human Resources and Social Security Yin Weimin disclosed the figure at an annual ministry conference on Dec 28.

The number exceeds the official target of 10 million set early this year.

The stable employment helped prop up economic growth and maintain social harmony, he said.

Despite the economic slowdown, the government has managed to keep a low urban registered unemployment rate, partly by employment services and support for college graduates and laid-off workers from saturated heavy industries.

Yin said the employment will remain a top priority in the next year due to lingering pressures.

In 2017, the ministry will also cautiously push forward pension funds investment, and improve the distribution of workers’ salary, Yin added.