WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 wrapped up its final competition day on September 26, with cheers echoing through the halls of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) as the last events concluded.
Team China fielded 71 competitors across all 64 skill categories this year. 17 competitors came from Guangdong and competed in 16 events, comprising a quarter of China's total entries.
Known as an economic powerhouse and a hub for manufacturing and technology, Guangdong has long been one of the strongest contributors to China's WorldSkills program.
In the electronics category, China's competitor Wu Tong was from the Guangdong Technician Institute. "We've won gold for three consecutive competitions, from 2019 to 2022 and then 2024," said coach Xie Zhiping. He pointed to the institute's home base of Huizhou, calling it "an electronics hub" whose factories and talent pool gave students "a great environment for developing skills."
Yang Shuming, who coaches Mobile Applications Development, said this year's challenge pushed competitors harder than the previous two editions. "The internet is evolving so quickly," he said. "Something that was cutting-edge last year could already be outdated this year." That pace, he added, meant competitors were under constant pressure to keep up.
Zhu Xiaohang, from Guangzhou Industry & Trade Technician College, competes in Mobile Applications Development at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.
Guangdong has sent competitors to every WorldSkills Competition since its debut in 2011. Since then, the province has collected 35 gold, 16 silver and 14 bronze medals for China—more than any other Chinese province.
This year brought a first: the province's debut in Restaurant Service, alongside two new skills, Software Testing and Digital Interactive Media Design.
Li Wentao, from Shenzhen Polytechnic University, competes in Restaurant Service at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.
Behind that debut was a four-year partnership between coach Fang Xia and competitor Li Wentao. "There were times I thought we might not have much of a chance," she recalled. But Li kept telling her, "I still want to practice," and she continued training with him. Li was eventually chosen from ten candidates to represent China. "It was a difficult, roundabout process," Fang said, "but also a very inspiring one."
Reporter | Chen Siyuan
Video | Chen Siyuan
Photos | Chen Siyuan
