Witness dreams in full bloom. Ignite the brilliance of skills.

On 15 July, World Youth Skills Day, WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 Executive Bureau, together with WorldSkills International, announced that Chinese young actor and singer Xiao Zhan has been named a promotion ambassador for the event.

The WorldSkills Competition is the world’s largest skills competition, organized biennially by WorldSkills International. It showcases cutting-edge standards in Technical and Vocational Education and Training. The 48th WorldSkills Competition will be held in Shanghai from 22 to 27 September, 2026, bringing together approximately 1,400 Competitors from over 60 countries and regions to compete in 64 skill competitions.

According to the WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 Organizing Committee, the Competition is more than a prestigious professional contest — it is a vibrant global platform that celebrates the power of skills and fosters international youth exchange. To better engage the public and expand the campaign’s reach, the selection of WorldSkills ambassadors emphasizes public influence, positive values, and broad appeal rather than solely technical backgrounds. As a prominent young Chinese actor with a strong fan base both in China and internationally, Xiao Zhan is expected to help expand the competition’s reach beyond its traditional audience, encouraging more people to recognize and appreciate the value of skills.

In response to his appointment, Xiao Zhan said he “was honoured to take part in the promotional efforts for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.” He pledged to follow the WorldSkills journey alongside the public and to champion the value of skills through concrete actions.

This announcement marks the official launch of a new wave of promotional campaigns under the theme “Youth Powering WorldSkills.” As the countdown to the 48th WorldSkills Competition continues, the organizing committee will invite more influential public figures to join in raising awareness, inspiring young people to embrace skills, and encouraging them to pursue excellence in vocational careers.