China Forms 220-Member Delegation for WorldSkills Shanghai
China has officially formed its national delegation for the 48th WorldSkills Competition, approved by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. The 220-member delegation includes 71 competitors who will represent China across all 64 competition events when the world’s largest vocational skills showcase opens in Shanghai on September 22, according to Xinhua News.
A Record-Setting Delegation
The competitors hail from 21 provinces across China, comprising 49 students and 22 working professionals. With 58 male and 13 female competitors, the team’s average age is just 21 years old, with the youngest at 18 and the oldest at 25. This marks China’s eighth appearance at the WorldSkills Competition and its third time competing in every event category.
The delegation’s award ceremony and competition uniforms have also been unveiled, drawing design inspiration from traditional Chinese mortise-and-tenon (榫卯) structures—a symbolic nod to the country’s rich craftsmanship heritage and cultural confidence.
China’s Rise in Global Skills
China’s journey in international skills competition began in October 2010 when it became the 53rd member of WorldSkills International. Since its debut at the 2011 competition in London, China has demonstrated remarkable progress, as documented by the Shanghai government.
At the 47th WorldSkills Competition in Lyon, France, in September 2024, China secured 36 gold, 9 silver, 4 bronze, and 8 excellence awards across all 59 events, topping the gold medal and overall team score tables for the fourth consecutive edition, as Bastille Post reported. Cumulatively, China has earned 93 gold, 41 silver, and 28 bronze medals, plus 71 excellence awards since joining the organization.
New Skills for a Digital Age
The 48th edition will feature 64 skill categories across six major domains, including seven new events that reflect the evolving global workforce. According to the Shanghai government’s guide, the new skills include Software Testing, Intelligent Security Technology, Rail Vehicle Technology, Unmanned Aerial Systems, Digital Interactive Media Design, Dental Prosthetics, and Retail Sales.
Yang Jiaying, Director of Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Human Resources and Social Security and Secretary-General of the 48th WorldSkills Organizing Committee, said the new events “reflect the booming development of new industries, technologies, and business formats, and represent the future direction of skills, opening new career paths and employment spaces for young skilled talent.”
Shanghai Prepares to Host the World
The competition, running from September 22-27, will take place at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) and the Shanghai World Expo Cultural Center. Nearly 70 countries and regions are expected to send approximately 1,400 competitors, with over 5,500 registered participants from 73 countries and regions. The event will use 360,000 square meters of venue space—roughly equivalent to 50 standard soccer fields.
As the host city, Shanghai is leveraging its position as China’s financial and commercial center to welcome the global skills community. The WorldSkills International notes that the city contributes approximately 4 percent of China’s total GDP and is home to nearly 30 million people, making it a fitting backdrop for the world’s premier skills competition.
Training and Preparation
Behind the delegation’s formation lies intensive preparation. At Shanghai Information Technology College, which hosts China’s national training bases for Web Technologies and Chemical Laboratory Technology, competitors are in the final stages of their training. As reported by the Shanghai government, the college has developed a comprehensive program covering technical standards research, psychological support, physical training, and international technical exchanges.
Li Wen, a member of China’s national training squad for Chemical Laboratory Technology, explained her path: “I knew academic subjects were not my strength, so I wanted to pursue a different path through skills competitions.” Her training has already opened doors—she has received a job offer from a leading semiconductor company.
A Global Celebration of Skills
The competition extends beyond the arena. WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 has appointed two promotion ambassadors: Chinese actor Xiao Zhan and internationally renowned content creator Li Ziqi, who has over 32 million YouTube followers. As WorldSkills International reported, Li Ziqi said, “Let us meet through skills, shine through craftsmanship, and light up this world-class celebration of excellence together.”
David Hoey, CEO of WorldSkills International, added: “WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 is a great opportunity for the world to come together to celebrate what skilled people can achieve, and to shape the future of skills development for generations to come.”
What to Watch For
With the 30-day countdown now underway, all eyes turn to Shanghai. The Chinese delegation has pledged to “strictly adhere to competition discipline, compete fairly and civilly, demonstrate style and level, and comprehensively showcase the exquisite skills and good spirit of Chinese skilled youth in the new era.” As the world’s top young skilled professionals converge on the Huangpu River, the 48th WorldSkills Competition promises to be a defining moment for global vocational education and training.