WHAT 无固定期限劳动合同 MEANS
What 无固定期限劳动合同 means
An open-ended contract does not mean employment can never be terminated. It means there is no predetermined expiry date; termination must still rely on a lawful ground and procedure.
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Why the role matters
Foreign employers often misunderstand the trigger after repeated fixed-term contracts or long service. HR systems should track contract history and local implementation practice.
CONTEXT
Where you see the term
ContextWhat it means there
Renewal cycleRepeated fixed terms may trigger the statutory route.
Long serviceTen-year service can be relevant.
Termination planningNo automatic expiry date is available.
TRANSLATION NOTE
文/A
Translation note
Use “open-ended employment/labour contract”. “Permanent contract” is misleading because statutory termination grounds still exist.
AUTHORITY
Primary legal basis
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE
Example
An employee has completed the statutory sequence of fixed-term contracts and asks to continue. The employer must assess whether an open-ended contract is required rather than simply issuing another fixed term.
SOURCES AND REVIEW
Primary authorities.
18 Sep 2026
OFFICIAL SOURCESUPPORTSCHECKED
PRC Labour Contract Law
PRC Labour Contract Law
MAINTAINED BYChina Legal Portal Editorial
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