HEFEI, China, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2026 World Manufacturing Convention concluded with 790 project agreements representing RMB 363.4 billion (approximately US$54.2 billion), organizers announced at a Sept. 29 Anhui briefing.
Held Sept. 20–23 under the theme "Intelligent Manufacturing for a Better Future," it featured keynote addresses, business matchmaking, research and data releases, and exhibitions.
Guests and exhibitors from a record 54 countries and regions attended. The United Kingdom served as guest country of honor, Côte d'Ivoire's president sent a congratulatory letter, and 11 international programs were held.
Among 217 exhibits—18% more than last year—were a 180-qubit superconducting quantum processor and BEST, the Burning Plasma Experimental Superconducting Tokamak. Of 790 projects, 708 advanced manufacturing projects represented RMB 331.7 billion. Agreements included an advanced semiconductor R&D and manufacturing line.
Attendees included 84 representatives of national ministries, commissions, organizers and supporting institutions, plus 63 national academy members and experts.
The 522 international delegates—over half of guests—included 88 diplomats and partner-government representatives; 205 international-organization and business-association representatives; 221 representatives of foreign-based Fortune Global 500 companies and multinationals; and eight prominent international researchers and subject-matter experts.
Guest province Sichuan joined delegations from 28 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, Hong Kong and Macao. Attending were 160 representatives of 38 centrally administered state-owned enterprises and 628 executives of Chinese companies.
Across 80,000 square meters, organizer-led and commercial exhibitions and an integrated unmanned systems showcase drew 1,230 exhibitors with over 15,000 products and technologies. Attendance reached 74,000 in person and 4.54 million online; 5,900-plus on-site transactions exceeded RMB 600 million.
More than 160 technologies, products, reports and case studies were released. Ten industry-leading technologies and products from China and abroad were presented, including a quantum-diamond chip testing instrument and humanoid robots.
Twenty-seven matchmaking sessions and programs produced 87 agreements or memoranda. Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang partners joined 453 projects representing RMB 154.72 billion; northern Anhui's six cities signed 194 totaling RMB 64.77 billion.
The "Central SOEs Visit Anhui" program generated 16 agreements representing RMB 39 billion, including a Wuhu Economic Development Zone big data center valued above RMB 10 billion.
Organizers addressed exhibition innovations, the convention's international role, diplomatic and Hong Kong-Macao resources, Central SOE results, and report, technology and product releases. They said it showcased Anhui and China's manufacturing strength and global outlook while advancing investment and cross-border industrial cooperation.
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2026 World Manufacturing Convention Secures 790 Agreements Worth RMB 363.4 Billion
2026 World Manufacturing Convention Secures 790 Agreements Worth RMB 363.4 Billion
AI-powered English assessment gives organisations a consistent way to measure the communication skills employees need in today's workplace
SINGAPORE, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As businesses operate across increasingly international teams, markets and customers, employers need more than a candidate's stated level of English. They need reliable evidence that employees have the communication skills required for their roles.
Linguaskill Business from Cambridge provides employers with an online, on-demand and internationally recognised way to assess workplace English proficiency, supporting more informed decisions in recruitment, employee development and career progression.
Developed by Cambridge University Press & Assessment, part of the University of Cambridge, Linguaskill Business combines Cambridge's expertise in language assessment with artificial intelligence and computer-adaptive technology to deliver accurate and reliable results.
From hiring decisions to workforce development
English proficiency can affect how effectively employees participate in meetings, deliver presentations, communicate with customers, write reports and collaborate across international teams.
Linguaskill Business assesses English proficiency from B1 to C2 on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), providing employers with an internationally recognised benchmark of an individual's ability.
The exam assesses four workplace communication skills: speaking, writing, reading and listening. Its modular format allows organisations to select the skills relevant to specific roles.
This means employers can move from subjective assessments of whether someone has "good English" to defined proficiency requirements supported by measurable results.
A practical tool for HR and business leaders
Organisations can use Linguaskill Business across the employee journey, including:
• Recruitment and candidate selection
• Graduate and management programmes
• Employee skills benchmarking
• Learning and development needs analysis
• Internal mobility and promotion
• Measurement of language training outcomes
Employers can also establish different English proficiency requirements for different roles. A customer-facing employee, for example, may require a different combination of speaking, listening, reading and writing skills from an employee whose role focuses primarily on written communication.
Designed for modern organisations
Linguaskill Business is delivered online and on demand, allowing organisations to administer assessment when and where required.
AI and computer-adaptive technology tailor the assessment to the candidate's ability, while results are reported against CEFR levels. Candidates receive a certificate and detailed results, while organisations can access group reporting to review results across cohorts.
CEFR stands for Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. It is an international framework used to describe a person's language ability. Instead of saying someone has "good English" or "intermediate English," CEFR provides defined proficiency levels.
For employers managing teams across different functions, locations or markets, this provides a consistent framework for understanding English proficiency across the organisation.
Turning English proficiency into measurable workforce capability
Rather than relying solely on interviews, self-declared proficiency or different assessment approaches across departments, organisations can establish defined English standards for roles and measure employees and candidates against a common international framework.
This gives HR and business leaders stronger evidence to support recruitment, development and workforce planning decisions.
For organisations where English communication matters to employee performance, Linguaskill Business provides a scalable way to identify existing capability, uncover skills gaps and support targeted development.
To learn more about how Linguaskill Business can support recruitment and workforce development, visit Cambridge English https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-tests/linguaskill/
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Cambridge Linguaskill Business helps employers make more confident hiring and workforce decisions
Cambridge Linguaskill Business helps employers make more confident hiring and workforce decisions
Cambridge Linguaskill Business helps employers make more confident hiring and workforce decisions
