A recruitment notice from a rural banking institution in southwestern China has ignited a wave of online backlash—not for low pay or tough competition, but for unusual requirements, including one that said female applicants must be at least 175 centimeters (5 feet 9 inches) tall.
The posting, issued by the Yunnan Rural Credit Cooperatives Union (YRCCU), was part of the bank’s 2026 graduate recruitment drive, according to Chinese state-affiliated media The Beijing News on April 13. But what drew scrutiny was a set of additional qualifications attached to certain entry-level branch positions—requirements that critics say are not relevant to the actual job.
According to the original listing, applicants were required to hold at least a national second-level athlete certification, pass physical fitness tests, and demonstrate competitive ability in sports such as basketball, volleyball, or soccer. Height thresholds were also imposed—at least 185 cm (6 feet 1 inch) for men and 175 cm for women….
China Bank Hiring Ad Sparks Backlash Over Height Rule, Athlete Requirement
