BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday urged the nation to intensify its efforts to develop vocational education.

Xi said vocational education is an important part of both the national educational system and developing a skilled labor force, in an instruction to a two-day national work conference on vocational education, which was convened on Monday.

He stressed vocational education must be valued because it is an important path for young people to achieve success and could stimulate employment and start-ups as well as foster technical skills.

The president urged the nation to create an environment that will give full play to one's talent.

The nation should strive to nurture hundreds of millions of highly competent laborers and skilled technical workers, according to Xi.

Xi also emphasized that local governments should prioritize the development of a modern vocational education to facilitate the realization of the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation.

He added that greater importance should be attached to vocational education in rural areas, regions inhabited by ethnic minorities, and poverty-stricken areas.

Premier Li Keqiang also called for efforts to speed up the cultivation of skilled technical workers to boost the economy and employment, when speaking to the delegates before the conference began.

Vocational education has potential that should be maximized, Li said, suggesting technical training be integrated with the fostering of a professional spirit of devotion, integrity and perfectionism.

A huge skilled labor force will transform "made in China" into "high quality manufacturing," he said.

The premier pledged to reform vocational education, increasing government support while encouraging non-governmental sectors to play a role in diversifying the pattern of education.

The conference is the third of its kind since China began its reform and opening-up drive in 1978.