Political Lens

Li to chair Greater Mekong Subregion Summit

Premier Li Qiang will chair the eighth Greater Mekong Subregion Summit in Kunming, Yunnan province, on Wednesday and Thursday.

The summit will also bring together leaders of the five Mekong countries of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, as well as the president of the Asian Development Bank.

Since its establishment more than three decades ago, the Greater Mekong Subregion mechanism has vigorously advanced coordinated economic and social development as well as regional integration, bringing tangible benefits to the people of the six countries, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Monday.

Mao said that China hopes to have in-depth exchanges with other parties through the summit, and further promote cooperation in key areas, such as regional connectivity, trade and investment, agriculture and poverty reduction.

Strengthening vocational education emphasized

Premier Li Qiang called on Sunday for efforts to strengthen vocational education and nurture skilled workers, in order to meet the needs of the country's economic and social development.

During a trip to Shanghai to research the city's work on vocational education and cultivation of skilled workers, Li, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that fostering more high-caliber skilled workers will provide solid support for high-quality development and high-quality life.

When visiting Shanghai Nanhu Vocational and Technical College, Li said it is necessary to deepen the integration of industry and education as well as the cooperation between colleges and enterprises.

He said it is necessary to optimize college disciplines and majors based on the needs of society and the actual development of industries, and strengthen hands-on skills practice, adding that more skilled teachers are needed to innovate the models and methods of teaching.

Xinhua - China Daily