BEIJING — A major innovation and entrepreneurship competition for college students worldwide has boosted business startups and employment, the Ministry of Education said on Nov 11.

Inaugurated in 2015, the China International College Students' "Internet+" Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition has been held annually for six consecutive years.

More than 70,000 companies have been set up based on entries for the competition, generating over 600,000 jobs. More than 4 million people have been employed in positions related to the companies, Wu Yan, an official with the ministry said at a press conference.

This year's competition was launched in June, with the finals due to start on Nov 17 at South China University of Technology, in South China's Guangdong province, Wu said.

The competition has attracted the participation of 15.77 million college students, Wu said, adding that 6.31 million college students from 117 countries and regions signed up for the finals of the sixth edition.