Cooperation in education emphasized

China has built the world's largest vocational education system and is ready to share its practices, solutions and experience with other countries, so that more nations can benefit, Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang said on Friday.

Ding made the remarks at the opening of the 2026 World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference in Tianjin. The conference started on Thursday and concludes on Saturday.

He said vocational education is a foundational project for cultivating high-quality, highly skilled talent, and plays a crucial role in economic and social development, adding that without skilled craftsmen, even the most advanced scientific ideas and technological achievements cannot be turned into real productivity.

China has more than 10,000 vocational schools with over 30 million students, Ding said. Secondary vocational education provides around 5 million middle school graduates with access to further education each year, while higher vocational education enables almost 6 million young people to attend university. Vocational schools supply more than 70 percent of China's new frontline skilled workers annually.

Ding said that China has strengthened its international cooperation, with the Luban Workshop becoming a prominent Chinese calling card. The conference is expected to produce outcomes including the Framework of World Vocational and Technical Education Standards, the vice-premier added.

He made four suggestions: jointly building standards to lead open cooperation, promoting transformation and upgrading through innovation, advancing equity and inclusiveness for people's all-around development, and strengthening friendly ties through mutual learning.

Ding said that China will continue to develop the Luban Workshop and other brand projects, as well as carry out more small-scale vocational education cooperation projects that both benefit livelihoods and are sustainable.

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that Malaysia-China cooperation in technical and vocational education and training is creating opportunities for thousands of young people in Malaysia.

He announced that Malaysia had secured 5,125 places for its young people to receive training in China in 2024 and a further 2,500 places for 2026, and cooperation will extend to high-tech training and teaching equipment, as well as the joint establishment of Malaysia-China institutes.

The deputy prime minister welcomed the proposed Framework of World Vocational and Technical Education Standards and suggested establishing a world vocational education committee to provide a sustainable global platform for joint efforts.

Khondker M. Talha, president of the UNESCO General Conference, said that technical and vocational education and training are where opportunity begins for millions of people, particularly young people.

He said that in 2023, one in five young people was not participating in employment, education or training — a situation worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic — while employers worldwide reported skills shortages.

"In short, too many people are struggling to access opportunities, while too many businesses are struggling to find the right skill set they need," he said.

He added that countries need to work together, and that the conference is an important opportunity to advance quality standards recognized across countries.

Huai Jinpeng, minister of education, said that China has set up 38 Luban Workshops with 32 countries, training more than 30,000 students in formal education and offering 160,000 person-times of skills training.

Their service areas have expanded from traditional manufacturing to emerging industries such as artificial intelligence, new energy and the digital economy, Huai said, adding that China has carried out more than 500 cooperation projects with over 80 countries and regions.

Huai called for making vocational education a bridge for people-to-people connectivity and mutual learning among different civilizations, and for building a diversified, coordinated and rapidly responsive skills training system.

Tianjin Mayor Zhang Gong said that the city, which is the birthplace of China's modern industry and education systems, is building a national demonstration zone for modern vocational education reform and innovation. Tianjin has advanced the integration of vocational and general education, industry and education, and science and education, Zhang said.

He added that Tianjin is ready to strengthen regular dialogue with vocational education departments, institutions and enterprises, adapt teaching and training to local conditions, and deepen the integration of education, talent and industry in sectors such as smart manufacturing, new energy, new materials and modern services.