Skills development is essential for the future of work, and China — home to the world's largest skilled labor force — is uniquely positioned to share its expertise globally, according to diplomats and representatives of international organizations.

"The outcome of labor markets under new technology is not predetermined," Changhee Lee, director of the International Labour Organization Country Office for China and Mongolia, told China Daily on the sidelines of a reception in Beijing on Monday. The reception was part of a series of events leading up to the 48th WorldSkills Competition, which will be held in Shanghai in September.

"It is all up to how society and countries respond," he said.

He described skills training as a bridge between today's jobs and future opportunities, adding that world-class competitions like the upcoming Shanghai event can help set benchmarks for excellence and promote cross-border learning.

Francis Hourant, president of WorldSkills International, acknowledged the rise of artificial intelligence and its impact, but stressed the enduring value of human craftsmanship.

"AI is a tool, not the end of the story," he said.

Hourant praised China for aligning its national vocational skills certification system with WorldSkills occupational standards. He said the alignment helps China develop a globally relevant skilled workforce, a practice worth emulating worldwide.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), China provided subsidized vocational skills training to a total of 92 million people, released 72 new professions and issued 328 national occupational standards in response to market trends, as part of broader reforms to enhance talent development, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.

China has more than 80 million professional technical personnel and over 220 million skilled workers, including 72 million highly skilled workers, the ministry said in September, providing a strong talent base for the country's push toward technological self-reliance and a modern industrial system.

Michael Hart, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, said skilled labor is a fundamental reason why many United States companies continue to invest and succeed in China. He noted that member companies view the country not only as a production base but also as a hub for innovation.

China joined WorldSkills International — the organization overseeing the WorldSkills Competition — in 2010, more than six decades after the inaugural competition was held in Madrid, Spain. Since then, China has won 93 gold medals, topping both the gold medal table and overall team rankings in the past four consecutive editions.

Huang Bolin, a gold medalist in joinery at the 47th WorldSkills Competition in Lyon, France, said winning at the competition significantly improved his employment prospects. Regarding automation, he said there is room for coexistence, noting that handcraft skills "will never be completely replaced by machines", while technology and manual skills can combine "to reach a higher level of intelligent manufacturing".

Organizers said the 48th WorldSkills Competition will bring together more than 1,400 young competitors from over 70 countries and regions to compete in 64 skill categories.

Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng told attendees that the 2026 event is expected to set records in terms of the number of skills, participants, member organizations and venue space.