Miao craft meets global stage as WorldSkills 2026 opens in Shanghai
WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 opened with a Miao heritage fashion show and India's biggest contingent of 70 competitors across 63 skills.
A cultural heritage fashion show staged alongside WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 put traditional Guizhou craftsmanship before an international audience, with models wearing outfits built around intricate Miao embroidery, hand-crafted batik textiles and finely worked silver ornaments. The techniques on display have been carried down through generations, and Miao embroidery is known for its vivid colours, detailed patterns and symbolic motifs.
The 48th WorldSkills Competition began on September 22 in Shanghai. Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter that was read out at the opening ceremony, while Premier Li Qiang attended and formally declared the competition open.
Held at the Shanghai World Expo Cultural Centre, the ceremony drew close to 1,400 competitors from more than 65 countries and regions. WorldSkills is regarded as the leading platform for recognising and promoting excellence in vocational skills, and this edition features over 1,400 young competitors from more than 60 countries and regions across 64 skill competitions.
India's contingent marched into the arena carrying the national flag and dressed in Team India colours. The country sent its largest-ever team of 70 young competitors, who are taking part across 63 skill categories.
India's record at international skill competitions has improved steadily, moving from 29th place in 2015 to 13th at WorldSkills Lyon 2024, where it won four Bronze Medals and 12 Medallions for Excellence. India also finished eighth in Asia at WorldSkills Asia 2025.