China backs Malaysia's plan for a permanent World TVET Council

At the WVTEDC 2026 in Tianjin, Malaysia put forward a bid to establish a World Technical and Vocational Education and Training Council, designating China as the permanent host. Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced that Chinese Deputy Prime Minister Ding Xuexiang and Education Minister Huai Jinpeng signaled their agreement to the principle of the proposal. The council would serve as a lasting platform for sharing expertise, technology and workforce training across more than 100 countries, with 48 ministers already attending the conference.

Zahid emphasized that China’s experience in organizing TVET events over the past four years makes it a suitable secretariat. He also highlighted potential collaborations involving China’s Luban Workshop training centres, the Malaysia-China Institute and local Malaysian TVET schools, aiming to boost the nation’s skilled labour pool.