Chinese premier stresses vocational training for people with disabilities

BEIJING - Premier Li Keqiang has urged enhancing the vocational skills of people with disabilities and supporting their employment and business creation.

Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in a written instruction as the sixth China national vocational skill competition for persons with disabilities and the third national Abilympics that kicked off Sunday in Jiaxing, east China’s Zhejiang Province.

Different regions and relevant government departments at all levels should fully implement the supportive employment policies and strengthen vocational education and training for persons with disabilities, according to the instruction. In advancing targeted poverty alleviation, greater efforts should be made to assist more poverty-ridden people with disabilities living in rural areas, helping more disabled people realize their dreams of finding jobs and starting businesses, said Premier Li. About 900 disabled persons from across the country will compete in 26 different contests under five categories, which include fine arts, handicrafts and engineering. Launched in 1989, the sixth China national vocational skill competition for persons with disabilities has been held every four years since 2003. The third national Abilympics will showcase participants’ products and skills as well as the nation’s progress in employment and business creation of persons with disabilities. China now has around 35 million registered persons with disabilities, with 18 million of working age. (Xinhua)