Li Qiang, Shanghai's Party secretary, unveils the plaque of the WorldSkills Shanghai 2021 Executive Bureau on Wednesday.

Shanghai Party Secretary LiQiangunveiled the plaque of the WorldSkills Shanghai 2021 Executive Bureau on Wednesday at the organization’s inaugural ceremony.

The ceremony was also attended byZhangJinan, China’s human resources and social security minister, Tang Tao, vice-minister, Shanghai Mayor Gong Zhengand other officials.

Shanghai will host the 46thWorldSkillsCompetition, the highest-level skills competition in the world, in September next year.

The executive bureau will be a temporary organization to make preparations and run the event.

Tang read a congratulatory letter from theWorldSkillsInternational at the ceremony.

Gong said China attached great importance to organizing the event known as the “Olympics for skills” and President XiJinpinghad repeatedly called for meticulous preparation for the event to boost exchanges and mutual learning with other countries and demonstrate China's vocational training achievements.

Gong said Shanghai is honored to shoulder its responsibility as host city and will be meticulous in preventing COVID-19 and in preparing for the competition under the guidance of the 46thWorldSkillsCompetition leadership and with direction and support from China’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.

He said the city will integrate all resources to enhance its capacity in hosting the competition and the impact of the event. It aims to carry forward the vision of the competition, raise the recognition of skills, promote cooperation and exchanges in terms of skills, accelerate development of skills, boost high-quality economic development and contribute to the development of high-quality life for people around the world.

Shanghai Mayor Gong Zhengdelivers a speech at the WorldSkills Shanghai 2021 Executive Bureau inaugural ceremony.