Chongqing - The second Belt and Road International Skills Competition will be held in Chongqing from June 24 to 26, 2024. The event will include 18 competitions across industries such as manufacturing, transportation, communications, catering, and services.

The competition invites 178 Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries and select WorldSkills Organization members. Over 300 participants, including competitors, judges, and personnel, have registered from over 60 countries across five continents. Participants will also engage in exhibitions and performances.

Yu Jiadong, Deputy Director of the Organizing Committee and Vice Minister of Human Resources and Social Security highlighted the dedication to establishing a fair competition environment with cutting-edge facilities and equipment. He also mentioned offering online and offline skills training tailored to the needs of participating countries and regions.

He further emphasized the broader objectives, stating that the event aims to establish international skill standards within the Belt and Road framework, promoting skill cooperation and shared growth. Various dialogue and exchange activities are planned to foster deeper understanding and collaboration among participants.

The event will be fully digitized to ensure high-quality and efficient skill demonstrations. The competition website will be continuously upgraded for comprehensive oversight. 

For the first time in an international skills competition, AI-assisted judging and a digital event management system will be used. This will allow for integrated information management, seamless collaboration, comprehensive service integration, and improved security and fairness.

Li Yong, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Director of Chongqing Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, highlighted the theme "Skills Cooperation · Joint Development" and the development of a range of cultural and creative products. 

The competition aims to highlight international appeal, Chinese style, and the cultural charm of Sichuan and Chongqing. The design of the competition's apparel and medals is complete, and practical items such as badges, backpacks, refrigerator magnets, bookmarks, dolls, and commemorative coins are currently in production.

Competition Medals. (Photo/Chen Yuting)

The medals are created using digital modeling, 3D printing, and CNC machining. The design is simple yet symbolic: the front features the competition’s logo and 21 rays of light representing hope and the 21st century, as well as the two "ones" in the Belt and Road Initiative. The back displays five rings and the inscription "2024 Chongqing China," symbolizing unity and the gathering of young, skilled professionals from five continents in Chongqing to forge friendships and advance together.

Chongqing places a strong emphasis on skilled talent, boasting over 5.3 million skilled workers, including 1.68 million highly skilled professionals—the highest proportion in Western China. The city hosts major national platforms such as China’s first WorldSkills Competition training center, a digital skills training zone, and a high-skill elderly care training base. 

Additionally, Chongqing has established the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor Technical Skills Talent Development Alliance and has conducted over 1,000 skills exchange programs with more than 30 countries and regions.