China is among three contenders bidding for the right to hold the 46th WorldSkills Competition, along with Switzerland and South Africa.
 
Should its bid be successful, the competition - showcasing the value of skills and raising the recognition of skilled professionals worldwide - promises to promote international exchanges and cooperation in vocational skills, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security said.
 
China has a sound foundation for the bid given that the country organises various vocational skill competitions every year and pays high attention to vocational training and team building of skilled talent, the ministry said in a statement according to state-run Xinhua news agency.
 
The final decision will be voted on by the WorldSkills International delegates in October 2017 at the General Assembly to be held at Abu Dhabi, capital city of United Arab Emirates.
 
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.
 
Shanghai, on the central coast, is the most populous city in China. Located in the Yangtze River Delta, it is a global financial centre, and a transport hub with the world's busiest container port.