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BEIJING, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- China is preparing for the 44th WorldSkills Competition to be held in Abu Dhabi, capital city of United Arab Emirates, this year, an official said Monday.
China has held national qualification trials and 388 candidates have been shortlisted to join the national squad, said Lu Aihong, spokesperson for the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.
China will host ChinaSkills Competition this June so that the candidates gain exposure to the competition rules, Lu told a press conference.
The WorldSkills event will strengthen vocational skills among talented personnel, promote international exchanges and enhance China's national influence on the global stage, said Lu.
China won five gold medals, six silver medals and four bronze medals in the 43rd WorldSkills Competition held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 2015.
Shanghai is in the running to host the 46th WorldSkills Competition in 2021, along with cities in Switzerland and South Africa.
The final decision will be voted on by the WorldSkills International delegates in October 2017 at the General Assembly to be held in Abu Dhabi.
WorldSkills dates back to 1950 when it was first held in Madrid, Spain. The biennial event seeks to increase the awareness and prestige of vocational and blue-collar professions. China first participated in the event in 2011.
