China to host 2021 WorldSkills Competition,promoting vocational skills

Speakers: Wu Manling, Sam Duckett and Lu Sirui

[Photo: thinkstockphotos.com]

China was selected on Friday to host the WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai in 2021. China hopes to use the event for building a stronger team of skilled workers nationwide and to enhance international exchanges in vocational skills.

Members of WorldSkills International voted on Friday in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, to award the 46th WorldSkills Competition to the city.

President Xi Jinping sent a video message on Friday, before the vote, in support of China's bid. He said on behalf of the Chinese government and people that he firmly supported Shanghai's bid, and gave his assurance that the city will be ready to host a highly innovative and influential event.

Xi said the competition will promote international exchanges and cooperation in vocational skills, drive the Chinese people, especially nearly 200 million young people, to take up new skills and provide an opportunity for China to contribute to global skills development.

China has been strengthening its international exchanges and cooperation in vocational skills in recent years.

The audio clip is from Studio+, produced by CRI.