From bricklaying to UAVs, trade skills highlighted in competition

A building trade skills competition featuring 23 member and observer countries of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia kicked off in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, on Wednesday.

The competition, the first international event of its kind under the CICA framework, aims to deepen pragmatic cooperation and cultural exchanges in Asia.

Themed "Trust and skills craft our future," the competition is a platform for displaying China's achievements in creating a skilled workforce, its development of vocational education and the strength of its modern industries.

Hosted by the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, the competition features three contest categories — bricklaying; unmanned aerial vehicle assembly, adjustment and maintenance; and intelligent inspection and operation of high-voltage cables. It showcases a seamless fusion of time-honored craftsmanship and future-oriented technology.

At a welcoming event on Tuesday evening, Sun Zhiyang, mayor of Guangzhou, said the city's accelerated development of a modern industrial system with international competitiveness provides a broad stage for the development of highly skilled talent.

"We are eager to deepen exchanges and cooperation with CICA members, aiming to use the skills competition as a bridge to enhance regional cooperation and cultural exchanges across Asia," Sun said.