中華人民共和國第一屆職業技能大賽12月10日在廣東省廣州市開幕。中共中央總書記、國家主席、中央軍委主席習近平發來賀信，向大賽的舉辦表示熱烈的祝賀，向參賽選手和廣大技能人才致以誠摯的問候。

The vocational skills competition provides a platform for workers to display their skills and learn from each other, and plays a positive role in expanding the skilled workforce and promoting social and economic development, according to the letter.
習近平在賀信中指出，職業技能競賽為廣大技能人才提供了展示精湛技能、相互切磋技藝的平臺，對壯大技術工人隊伍、推動經濟社會發展具有積極作用。

Xi urged efforts to carry forward the spirit of model workers and craftsmanship, stimulate more workers, especially the younger generation, to improve their skills, and foster more highly skilled workers and craftsmen in a bid to achieve the goal of fully building a modern socialist country.
習近平強調，要大力弘揚勞模精神、勞動精神、工匠精神，激勵更多勞動者特別是青年一代走技能成才、技能報國之路，為全面建設社會主義現代化國家提供有力人才保障。

Premier Li Keqiang said in his instruction that improving vocational skills is a crucial foundation for the country's manufacturing and services industries to move to a medium-to-high level.
國務院總理李克強作出批示指出，提高職業技能是促進中國制造和服務邁向中高端的重要基礎。

Li called for efforts to improve the training system for skilled workers, create a favorable environment to allow them to come to the fore, guide young workers to perfect their skills and build a skilled workforce, in a bid to boost employment, entrepreneurship and innovation in the country and ensure high-quality economic growth.
要進一步完善技能人才培訓培養體系，積極營造有利于技能人才脫穎而出的良好環境，引導推動更多青年熱愛鉆研技能、追求提高技能，打造高素質技能人才隊伍，為促進就業創業創新、推動經濟高質量發展提供強有力支撐。

Approved by the State Council, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security began holding national vocational skills competitions from this year.
經國務院批準，人力資源和社會保障部從2020年起舉辦全國職業技能大賽。

The first competition, running from Thursday to Sunday, will see over 2,500 contestants and 2,300 referees in 86 disciplines.
首屆大賽12月10日至13日舉辦，設86個比賽項目，共有2500多名選手、2300多名裁判人員參賽。