Historically, the 工人 (gōngrén) holds a place of honor in the People's Republic of China. Under Mao Zedong, Communist ideology elevated the proletariat (the working class) and the peasantry to be the ruling classes of the new nation. The “Worker-Peasant Alliance” (`工农联盟 gōngnóng liánméng`) was the bedrock of the state, and workers were promised job security and social benefits under a system known as the “iron rice bowl” (`铁饭碗 tiě fànwǎn`). Propaganda posters frequently depicted strong, healthy workers building the new China. This contrasts with the Western concept of a “blue-collar worker.” While the job descriptions are nearly identical, the term “blue-collar” in the West is primarily a socioeconomic descriptor, sometimes carrying connotations of lower educational attainment or social class. In China, 工人 (gōngrén), while describing a similar type of labor, is imbued with a historical, political identity of being a foundational pillar of the nation. Though the “iron rice bowl” has largely rusted away with economic reforms, a fundamental respect for the labor of the `gōngrén` remains ingrained in the culture.
In contemporary China, 工人 (gōngrén) is a common and neutral term used to describe anyone who performs manual labor. The strong political connotations have faded in everyday conversation, but they haven't disappeared entirely.