Skills contest showcases China's achievements

At a competition venue inside a technician institute in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, Kim Yong-chae from South Korea finished the entire process of bricklaying within three and a half hours, showcasing his skills in brick arrangement, structural formation and joint handling.

"I really enjoyed the competition, which provides an excellent platform for us from various Asian countries and regions to conduct bricklaying skills exchanges," said Kim.

The bricklaying event was part of a recent international skills competition which kicked off on Wednesday, featuring 23 member and observer countries of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia.

The CICA, established in 1992, currently comprises 28 member countries and 15 observer states and international organizations, covering over 90 percent of the Asian region.

In addition to bricklaying, the CICA Skills Competition, the first international event of its kind under the CICA framework, also features two more events including unmanned aerial vehicle assembly, adjustment and maintenance, and intelligent inspection and operation of high-voltage cables.

Nearly 80 frontline workers showcased a seamless fusion of time-honored craftsmanship and future-oriented technology during the competition, according to the organizers.

"As a fundamental skill in the construction industry, the bricklaying not only tests the competitors' accurate understanding of blueprints and dimensions but also their spatial judgment, process control and operational stability," said Lei Dingming, chief judge of the bricklaying competition.

During the bricklaying competition, contestants were required to build a wall in the shape of a horse, aligning with the theme of the Chinese Year of the Horse.

The wall construction adhered to international standards, and the scoring system was aligned with that of the WorldSkills Competition, the largest and most influential skills event globally.

The competition, hosted by the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, has also become a platform for displaying China's achievements in creating a skilled workforce, its development of vocational education and the strength of its modern industries.

Guests and competitors also had a technical exchange during their visits to some high-tech companies and occupational training institutes in Guangzhou on Thursday.

Earlier, 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.