[Beijing = E-Daily Lee Myeongcheol Correspondent] The 48th WorldSkills Competition has kicked off in Shanghai, China. As the importance of skilled talent grows amid advancements in cutting-edge technology, attention is focused on the technical competitions taking place across various fields. Chinese President Xi Jinping stated that he would use this event as an opportunity to seek a technology-driven path to success.

According to China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency and other sources on the 23rd, the WorldSkills opening ceremony was held in Shanghai the previous afternoon. WorldSkills is an international skills competition that began in Spain in 1947, and this marks the first time it has been held in China. SamsungElectronics(005930)is also a major sponsor.

The theme of this year’s competition is “Skills Change the World and Light Up the Future.” The People’s Daily, the official newspaper of the Communist Party of China, reported that 1,385 participants from 68 countries and regions are taking part this year. South Korea is sending 56 competitors across 50 occupational categories. China has 71 participants.

The opening ceremony, held at the Shanghai World Expo Cultural Center, was attended by Li Chang, Premier of the State Council of China, who declared the event open.

During the opening ceremony, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message, stating, “Currently, the new technological revolution and industrial transformation are accelerating, profoundly influencing global technological development.” He added, “WorldSkills closely aligns with industry needs and provides a valuable platform where skilled professionals from various countries can improve their skills and learn from one another.”

President Xi emphasized, “China will use the opportunity of hosting this competition to encourage and guide more workers, helping the younger generation pursue a path to success based on technical skills,” adding, “We are committed to strengthening exchanges and cooperation with all stakeholders, promoting the development of the competition, and contributing further to global economic growth and the improvement of public welfare.”

South Korea has participated in WorldSkills a total of 32 times to date, winning the overall championship 19 times. As the host country, China has claimed the overall championship for the last four consecutive competitions, and all eyes are on whether South Korea can break this streak and secure its 20th overall championship.

South Korean competitors will compete in the Software Testing and Dental Prosthetics categories, which were introduced for the first time this year, and are scheduled to participate in the Visual Merchandising and Renewable Energy categories for the first time.

Meanwhile, ahead of this competition, China has emphasized the fostering of emerging and future industries and the expansion of high-tech manufacturing.

According to Xinhua News Agency, Premier Li Chang inspected the Shanghai Electric National Artificial Intelligence Application Intermediate Testing Base and the Shanghai Future Qidian Community in Shanghai the day before the competition’s opening.

Premier Li emphasized, “The development of Shinhung industries, such as artificial intelligence (AI), is changing at an ever-faster pace, and the application of related technologies is significantly reshaping the technological framework, production methods, and industrial structure of manufacturing.” He added, “We must combine the strengths of Chinese manufacturing with digital and intelligent technologies and further advance the ‘AI+Manufacturing’ initiative.”

Pointing out that MiraeCorporation represents a potential ‘blue ocean’ for the development of high-tech manufacturing, Premier Li also said, “We must strengthen monitoring, analysis, research, and assessment of future technological developments; focus our efforts on developing core and critical technologies; enhance support for basic research; and continue to expand the frontiers of industrial innovation.”