Chongqing - The second Belt and Road International Skills Competition will commence in Southwest China's Chongqing municipality from June 24 to 26, according to a press conference on June 23.

Landscape plants displayed in the exhibition area of the Second Belt and Road International Skills Competition. (Photo/CQ News Net)

The event, themed "Skills Cooperation Joint Development," will feature 590 participants from 61 countries, showcasing diverse talents and skills internationally.

Chongqing Airlines has launched themed flights for the Second Belt and Road International Skills Competition. (Photo/Chongqing Airlines)

This year's competition aligned with the industrial needs of Belt and Road Initiative countries, featuring 18 skill categories, including 11 from the WorldSkills Competition like digital construction, photoelectric technology, electronics, hairdressing, and floristry.

A staff is debugging the cameras on the smart mirrors used in the hairdressing competition. (Photo/Zhang Jinhui)

Additionally, the competition featured seven other projects, including automobile technology (new energy), industrial robotics, and coffee making, highlighting the forward-looking nature of the event.

The competition also welcomed 31 technical observers from various countries, deepening international engagement and observation.

A highlight was the participation of 111 young competitors, averaging 22 years old, from WorldSkills International member countries. They are preparing for the 47th WorldSkills Competition, showcasing their skills and energy.

Notably, there was significant participation in areas such as electrical installations, information network cabling, and new energy automobile technology. This high involvement from frontline workers across various industries highlights the strong demand for skilled labor in these crucial sectors.

The competition was more than just a contest; it was a comprehensive showcase of skills. Alongside the main event, there were dialogues between leading talents and prominent enterprises, seminars on new technical standards in international competitions, and collaborations in the digital economy.

"Our ministry has actively promoted skills exchange and cooperation with BRI countries, international organizations, and companies in recent years," said Wang Xiaojun, an official of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, "These collaborations have yielded positive results."

Chongqing's commitment to skill development is evident in its extensive international cooperation in vocational education.

"Chongqing has established collaborations with over 30 countries, adopting advanced vocational educational models like Singapore's teaching factory and Germany's dual vocational training system," said Quan Wei, deputy secretary-general of the Chongqing Municipal People's Government.

Quan continued that more than 30 vocational colleges in Chongqing have engaged in international partnerships, enhancing educational resources and providing overseas training opportunities for faculty.

Chongqing has developed a talent pool of over 5.36 million skilled workers, including 1.7 million highly skilled professionals. According to Quan, this workforce is crucial for the city's economic and social progress.