Premier Li supports Shanghai's bid for WorldSkills Competition

Premier Li Keqiang said the central government supports Shanghai's bid for the 46th WorldSkills Competition in 2021 when he met with Simon Bartley, president of WorldSkills International, in Beijing.

Premier Li spoke highly about the significant role the organization has played in promoting global occupational skills training and sustainable development of all countries.

China advocates "the craftsman spirit" in a campaign for innovation-driven development and mass entrepreneurship, and is striving to cultivate a larger number of high-quality technicians, who will bring new momentum to the Chinese economy and transform traditional momentum, Li said.

China's central government supports Shanghai's bid for the WorldSkills Competition and would like to take it as a chance to strengthen cooperation with the organization, which in turn would help improve skills of billions of workers and contribute to the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, Li added.

Bartley said the Chinese government has been committed to promoting skills and has made great efforts to improve the level of skills in the country and the world. He said his organization appreciates China's willingness and preparations for the competition's bid, and will maintain close contact and cooperation.

The organization has 77 member countries and regions, and the WorldSkills Competition occurs every two years and is the biggest vocational education and skills excellence event in the world that truly reflects global industry, according to its website.