Chinese Premier Li Qiang calls for more investment in skills, AI training

Shanghai, September 23 — Chinese Premier Li Qiang attended the opening ceremony of the WorldSkills Conference 2026 in Shanghai on Monday morning and delivered a speech.

Premier Li stated that skills have always been a vital force driving the progress of human civilization. He noted that President Xi Jinping, in his congratulatory letter to the 48th WorldSkills Competition, fully affirmed the role of the competition as a platform for global skills exchange and cooperation, and articulated China's clear stance in supporting the development of the world skills movement.

Under the theme "Skills Light Up the Future," the conference aligns with the pulse of the times. Premier Li shared several observations based on China's experience:

1. China's Development Achievements Reflect Significant Contributions from Skills

• In the continuous elevation of social productivity, skills have provided solid support. As China builds a modern industrial system, the two-way promotion of talent and technology is injecting sustained momentum into high-quality development.
• In the enduring legacy of fine traditional culture, skills have ensured preservation and transmission. Traditional Chinese crafts have been passed down through generations, with many gaining global recognition, empowering talent cultivation and industrial development in other countries while promoting cultural exchange and integration.
• On the path to a better life, skills have helped uplift people. Through large-scale skills training, an increasing number of ordinary workers have gained higher skills and more career choices.

2. China Remains Committed to Cultivating Workers' Skills Advantages

• Deep integration of industry and skills: Going forward, China will closely follow industrial development needs, deepen the integration of industry and education, and enhance school-enterprise cooperation to improve the relevance and effectiveness of skilled talent training.
• Lifelong vocational education and training: China will continue to improve its education and training system, supporting more workers in continuously "recharging" throughout their careers.
• Fostering a social atmosphere that values skills: China will sustain efforts to create a strong culture of respect for skills, encouraging more young people to pursue and dedicate themselves to skill development.

3. Working Together for a Bright Future of Skills Development

The new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation is profoundly reshaping skill demands. All parties should act in response to the times, collaborate closely, and strive to raise the global level of skills development.

• Develop skills with greater focus on people's wellbeing: Increase investment in people, actively promote general education in artificial intelligence, help workers undergo skills transformation, and promote high-quality and full employment.
• Develop skills with greater innovation vitality: Proactively plan for the cultivation of high-skilled talent, improve skills development mechanisms in emerging fields, and encourage more skilled talent to engage in innovation.
• Develop skills that are more open and inclusive: Establish closer international mechanisms for skills exchange and cooperation, and jointly build an open skills ecosystem.

China is willing to work with all parties to promote the establishment of a World Skills Innovation Center and expand skills development under the Belt and Road South-South Cooperation framework.

Other Highlights

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Chris Humphries, President of WorldSkills International, also attended and delivered speeches. They noted that the Chinese government has long invested in skilled talent development, effectively empowering economic and social progress, and making significant contributions to the global skills cause and youth development. Skills development has become a priority for governments worldwide, and all parties expressed willingness to strengthen exchanges and mutual learning with China, making skills a key bond for win-win cooperation.

Approximately 1,900 representatives from around the world attended the opening ceremony.

Prior to the ceremony, Premier Li toured the WorldSkills Expo.

Also present at the events were Chen Jining, Wu Zhenglong, and Shen Yiqin.