Ding Xuexiang attended the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference and met with foreign dignitaries attending the conference

Xinhua News Agency, Tianjin, October 16 (Reporter Qi Zhongxi) The 2026 World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference opened in Tianjin on the 16th. Ding Xuexiang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, attended and delivered a speech.

Ding Xuexiang said that vocational education is a basic project for cultivating high-quality skilled talents and plays a decisive role in economic and social development. President Xi Jinping emphasized the need to build a vocational education system that integrates vocational education with general education and industry and education, and vigorously cultivate great craftsmen, skilled craftsmen, and highly skilled talents. In recent years, China has continuously improved its modern vocational education system, broadened the paths for young people to grow into talents, consolidated talent support for industrial development, deepened international exchanges and cooperation, and promoted the development of vocational education to achieve historic achievements and create pattern changes.

Ding Xuexiang pointed out that the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation are accelerating breakthroughs, putting forward new and higher requirements for vocational education and the cultivation of skilled talents. He made four suggestions on promoting the development of world vocational education cooperation: First, lead open cooperation through the co-construction of standards. Strengthen policy communication and rule cohesion, jointly improve teaching, practical training, teachers, evaluation and other standards, and promote the transnational flow and efficient allocation of skills resources. The second is to promote transformation and upgrading through change and innovation. Promote the in-depth integration of new technologies such as digital intelligence technology and green technology with vocational education, innovate majors, courses and practical training, and cultivate high-skilled talents that better meet the needs of economic and social development. The third is to promote the all-round development of people through fairness and inclusiveness. We will increase assistance to underdeveloped countries and regions and implement a number of "small but beautiful, people-friendly and sustainable" vocational education cooperation projects to allow more young people to grow and become talents. The fourth is to tighten the bonds of friendship through mutual learning. Deepen exchanges and cooperation in skills training and dissemination, promote understanding and respect between different cultures, and enhance people-to-people bonds.

Chen Min'er, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the Tianjin Municipal Party Committee, attended the opening ceremony. Zahid, the First Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, and Talha, President of the UNESCO General Conference, delivered speeches on site or via video.

Before the opening ceremony, Ding Xuexiang visited the China Vocational Education Special Exhibition.

On the morning of the 15th, Ding Xuexiang met with Zahid in Beijing. He said that China is willing to work with Malaysia to deeply implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, promote high-quality cooperation in infrastructure, high technology, agriculture, vocational education and other fields, and build a high-level strategic China-Malaysia community with a shared future to better benefit the two peoples. Zahid said that Malaysia attaches great importance to the comprehensive strategic partnership between Malaysia and China and is committed to further promoting the friendship between Malaysia and China, better aligning development strategies, and achieving more mutually beneficial and win-win results.