Competition helps those with disabilities showcase their skills

After concentrating for six hours while making pottery at a competition in Jinan, Shandong province, on Tuesday, Tang Chunhe added the final touches to a vase bearing lotus and fish designs. He then waited patiently for the judges' scores.

"It's nice to attend such a competition where I can make friends and exchange ideas about pottery with the other competitors," said Tang, who is physically disabled due to polio.

"This competition is a platform where I can showcase my skills," he added.

Pottery-making is one of the events of the seventh National Vocational Skills Competition for Disabled People, which got underway in Jinan on Tuesday.

Themed "New Era, New Skills, New Dreams", the three-day competition has 28 events in five categories — information and communication technology, fine arts, handicrafts, industry and advanced manufacturing, and services.

Nine events — network information security, clothing and accessory design, unmanned aircraft operation, electrical installation, 3D printing, Western culinary arts, manicure, domestic service and internet marketing — are new to this year's competition.

Held every four years, this year's edition attracted 950 competitors from 32 delegations across the country, 58 more than the previous competition.

Among the competitors, the oldest is 59 years old and youngest is 16. About 51 percent of competitors are physically disabled, 30 percent have hearing or speaking disabilities and 3 percent have visual impairment.

"The competition encourages disabled workers to learn new technologies and master new skills for a better working performance, and can increase their contributions to the nation's development," Xie Hongde, a senior official from the China Disabled Persons' Federation, said at a news conference for the competition in mid-June.

"The competition offers a stage for the disabled to show their skills, perseverance and tenacity, which will create a better social atmosphere of caring for disabled people," said Xie.

An exhibition of works made by people with disabilities is being held at the same time to showcase their talents.