Chinese premier stresses strengthening vocational education, nurturing skilled workers

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Sunday urged 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, 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 the Shanghai Nanhu Vocational and Technical College, Li said that it is necessary to deepen the integration of industry and education as well as the cooperation between colleges and enterprises, optimize the setting of college disciplines and majors based on the needs of the society and industries' actual development and strengthen hands-on skill practice, adding that more skilled teachers are needed to innovate the models and methods of teaching.

Noting that there are ever-growing demands for elderly care, childcare and medical care, Li urged efforts to strengthen the training of skilled workers in the related fields to better meet the diverse and multi-layered needs of the people.

When visiting the WorldSkills Museum, Li encouraged the gold medal winners of the WorldSkills competition to be role models, inspiring more people to pursue success through skills and contribute to their country with their talents.

He said governments at all levels should continue to refine support policies for the cultivation of skilled workers. Efforts should also be made to improve the systems of development planning and services for skilled workers with a view to broadening their development channels and enhancing their incomes, Li added.

Chinese premier stresses strengthening vocational education, nurturing skilled workers

The Philippines' trick to play victim and confuse the international community over the South China Sea issue will not get anywhere, Defense Ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang said at a press conference in Beijing on Thursday.

Zhang made the remarks in response to the Philippine Coast Guard accusation of China of using large vessels to intimidate smaller Philippine ships.

"China has indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea Islands and their adjacent waters. The maritime disputes between China and the Philippines are not a matter of size as who is big and who is small, but a matter of right and wrong. The Philippine side has repeatedly organized coast guard vessels and fishing boats to infringe upon China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, endanger peace and stability in the South China Sea, and attempt to play a pathetic game to gain sympathy and confuse the international public opinion. This is doomed to fail. We advise the Philippine side to immediately change course and return to the right track of resolving the issue with China through negotiation and consultation," Zhang said.

Defense Ministry spokesman dismisses Philippines' victim playing trick