Long Yongtu, former vice-minister of foreign trade and former secretary-general of the Boao Forum for Asia, stresses the importance of labor education at the forum held in Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang province on May 1. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A forum on labor education was held in Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang province on May Day, attracting educational professionals, model workers, students and parents to discuss the importance of labor education and how best to practice it at home and abroad.

Long Yongtu, former vice-minister of foreign trade and former secretary-general of the Boao Forum for Asia, said at the forum that labor education, which not only improves survival skills among children, but also fosters a strong work ethic and respect for workers, should be an integral part of a child's development, along with moral, intellectual, physical and art education.

Four children, who were honored as the Ten Most Filial Youngsters of 2020, an award presented by China Media Group, shared their own experiences and views on labor at the forum.

Shi Peihao, an 11-year-old boy from Northwest China’s Gansu province, said that children should respect their families who work hard to provide them with better living conditions. Shi has been helping his grandparents in the melon field since he was six years old.

The Dongqian Lake Education Forum was set up in Ningbo in 2019 and aims to shed light on China's education system.