The 48th WorldSkills Competition
On July 15, 2025, the Shanghai 48th WorldSkills Competition Executive Bureau and WorldSkills International jointly announced that Xiao Zhan had been appointed Promotional Ambassador for the 48th WorldSkills Competition. He has been widely described in subsequent coverage as the first Chinese promotional ambassador in the competition’s history. The appointment was made as part of the competition’s efforts to reach a broader audience beyond the professional skills community. The official WorldSkills organization specifically noted that the selection of promotional ambassadors takes into consideration their public recognition, influence, and positive image, with the goal of helping the competition “break out of its circle” and encouraging more young people to learn about and value skills.
On August 3, 2026, exactly 50 days before the opening of the Shanghai competition, the theme film for the 48th WorldSkills Competition was released nationwide. The film was jointly produced by Xinhua News Agency’s New Media Center and Jiefang Daily. Xiao Zhan, in his role as Promotional Ambassador, served as the film’s narrator, using his warm and steady voice to guide viewers through the history of WorldSkills, from its beginnings in Madrid in 1950 to the present day.
The film centers on the message “Skills change the world; skills illuminate the future” (技能改变世界，技能照亮前程) and was released across multiple domestic and international platforms as part of the competition’s global promotional campaign. Xiao Zhan’s narration attracted positive attention from viewers, with comments highlighting his clear diction, steady delivery, and warm, composed voice.
Basic Information About the Competition
The 48th WorldSkills Competition, often described as the “Olympics of skills,” will be held in Shanghai, China, from September 22 to 27, 2026. This is the first time China has hosted the WorldSkills Competition.
The competition features 64 skill competitions across six major categories: Transportation and Logistics, Construction and Building Technology, Manufacturing and Engineering Technology, Information and Communication Technology, Creative Arts and Fashion, and Social and Personal Services.
At the time of the 2025 announcement, organizers expected approximately 1,300 competitors from 60 countries and regions to participate across the 64 competitions. By February 2026, however, the official WorldSkills site reported that 71 WorldSkills member countries and regions had already pre-registered more than 5,000 people, suggesting that the eventual participation will be broader than the initial estimate.
The Chinese delegation will compete across all 64 skill competitions.
Xiao Zhan’s Role in the Broader WorldSkills Campaign
Xiao Zhan’s involvement extends beyond simply appearing in promotional material. His appointment was intended to help bring WorldSkills to audiences who might not otherwise follow an international vocational skills competition. According to the official WorldSkills organization, related promotional discussions surrounding his appointment accumulated more than 500 million views across the internet, and the organization described the campaign as one of the most influential promotional efforts in the competition’s 75-year history.
In addition to his ambassadorial duties, Xiao Zhan publicly encouraged audiences to follow the Shanghai competition and support the participating skilled competitors. His involvement therefore forms part of the competition’s larger “Youth Support for WorldSkills” promotional campaign, which aims to inspire more young people to develop professional skills and pursue careers based on those skills.