Guangdong province officially launched a new comprehensive digital platform on Wednesday, aiming to provide lifelong learning opportunities to its roughly 127 million residents.

The "Guangdong Comprehensive Lifelong Learning Platform," backed by multiple provincial agencies including the education and culture departments, is designed to offer a range of educational resources. Officials state the goal is to help the populous manufacturing hub transform its demographic weight into a highly skilled workforce.

At a launch event in Guangzhou, the provincial capital, Hu Jinjun, head of the Publicity Department of the Guangdong Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, framed the initiative as a long-term strategy. "Only through continuous and lifelong learning can we keep pace with the times and win the future," Hu said.

Lifelong learning has been identified by the provincial government as a major strategic task for the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30).

"For Guangdong to continue to take the lead, set an example and shoulder major responsibilities in the country, we must invest in people, strive for well-rounded human development and accelerate the transformation of its huge population into a strong human resource advantage," Hu said.

Along with the platform, authorities plan to roll out a series of public competitions this year, covering a broad range of topics, including national defense literacy and Cantonese folk songs, according to Hu.