Zhang Jiahao, a 17-year-old carpenter, competes in the joinery event at the 2017 China International Skills Competition.[Gao Erqiang/China Daily]

China was selected on Friday to host the WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai in 2021 - an event it hopes to use for building a stronger team of skilled workers nationwide and to enhance international exchanges in vocational skills.

Members of WorldSkills International voted on Friday in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, to award the 46th WorldSkills Competition to the city.

President Xi Jinping sent a video message on Friday, before the vote, in support of China's bid. He said on behalf of the Chinese government and people that he firmly supported Shanghai's bid, and gave his assurance that the city will be ready to host a highly innovative and influential event.

Xi said the competition will promote international exchanges an cooperation in vocational skills, drive the Chinese people - especially nearly 200 million young people - to take up new skills and provide an opportunity for China to contribute to global skills development.

The bid team, which included Yin Weimin, minister of human resources and social security, and Ying Yong, mayor of Shanghai, gave presentations before the vote.

China has been strengthening its international exchanges and cooperation in vocational skills in recent years. In 2015, Xi announced in a South-South Cooperation roundtable a "six 100s" initiative to help developing countries. It included 100 poverty reduction programs, 100 schools and vocational training centers and the training of 500,000 technical personnel.

Yin, the minister, said: "I believe the 46th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai will bring China closer to the world and help international exchanges and cooperation in vocational skills to be implemented more effectively."

He said the ministry will make every effort to help Shanghai prepare for the event.

The Chinese leadership attached great importance to its bid to host the competition, as the event will greatly promote the development of highly skilled talent in China, said Tang Tao, vice-minister of human resources and social security, at a news conference in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

China has 165 million skilled workers, including 47.9 million who are classed as highly skilled. Every year, more than 100 million people have access to technical and vocational education and training, he said.

"Hosting the event will help guide the whole society to respect the spirit of craftsmanship and help create a social atmosphere of respecting labor and admiring skill," Tang said.

Shanghai will use the opportunity to draft preferential policies to encourage the spirit of craftsmanship and improve vocational education to cultivate skilled talent, said Peng Chenlei, the city's vice-mayor.