TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) opened the WorldSkills Asia Competition in Taipei on Wednesday evening, where he praised Taiwan’s generations of skilled workers who make domestic products indispensable to the global supply chain.

Lai said his administration places a high value on vocational education and continues to promote closer integration between industry and academia to strengthen practical skills. He expressed hope that young people will continue the tradition of technical innovation, per a Presidential Office press release.

Welcoming delegations from 31 countries, Lai said he hoped all competitors would showcase their skills and contribute to regional development. He added that the event marks Taiwan’s return to hosting an international WorldSkills competition after a 32-year hiatus.

During this time, Lai said Taiwan has transformed from a labor-intensive OEM base into a key global hub for semiconductor technology. He said hosting the competition reflects international recognition of Taiwan’s technical strength and highlights the achievements of its vocational training system.

Amid rapidly shifting global supply chains and accelerated AI and digital transformation, countries are working to enhance competitiveness, Lai said. “The core of national competitiveness lies in talent, and the foundation of talent is skills.” 

Lai noted Taiwan is at the center of the global semiconductor industry, which is supported by a strong vocational and technical education system. From precision machinery in Taichung to southern Taiwan’s “screw kingdom,” and from aerospace component craftsmanship to cutting-edge textile R&D, Taiwan is home to numerous industrial leaders.

He said these companies maintain leading global market shares thanks to generations of skilled workers who focus on detail and pursue excellence, embodying a craftsman spirit that keeps Taiwanese products vital to the global supply chain.

Lai said Taiwan’s performance in the previous WorldSkills Asia Competition shows that its young people possess world-class practical skills and innovative thinking. The government is working to ensure smooth school-to-work transitions and to cultivate talent in areas tied to net-zero goals and digital transformation, he added.

Excellence requires international engagement, Lai said, noting that aligning with global standards and encouraging cross-cultural exchange is key to elevating Taiwan’s vocational skills.

This year’s competition includes 44 categories, ranging from bricklaying, carpentry, and welding to hairdressing, beauty, food and beverage, and floristry.

In the AI era, data can be processed rapidly, and products can be mass-produced, Lai said, but human warmth and hands-on craftsmanship remain irreplaceable. “Only hands can create works with soul,” he said.

Lai encouraged contestants to innovate and enjoy the competition. He also thanked WorldSkills Competitions, the Ministry of Labor, and event partners for helping showcase the strength of Asian youth.

He invited participants to experience Taiwan’s food and culture during their stay, expressing hope they would “fall in love with Taiwan” and take home lasting memories.