Chongqing - The Second Belt and Road International Skills Competition concluded with a successful medalists' press conference on June 27, awarding 18 gold, 18 silver, and 18 bronze medals and 41 excellence awards.

This year, 190 contestants from 61 countries and regions on five continents competed in 18 projects. Compared to the previous competition, three more delegations won medals (up from 17), and 13 additional delegations received various awards, including excellence awards, resulting in a 63% winning percentage. 

It is worth noting that eight teams from countries including China, Russia, and South Korea won gold medals. Chongqing participants won three gold medals in Beauty Therapy, Rail Signal Control Technology, and Coffee Making, and one silver in Digital Construction.

Chen Quan, a Chongqing contestant, won a gold medal of Rail Signal Control Technology at the Second Belt and Road International Skills Competition. (Photo/The Second Belt and Road International Skills Competition)

Eric Baden, the head judge of the coffee-making project from Germany, expressed that the skills competition was a spectacular event, bringing together people from various linguistic and cultural backgrounds across the globe to share their knowledge and skills.

Baden highlighted how competitors, through teamwork, surpassed their individual abilities, sharing experiences to inspire future participants. This open event allows observing students to actively participate, witness, and benefit, gaining valuable inspiration.

He observed young student visitors gaining new insights from the competitions, despite uncertainties about their career paths. The Belt and Road International Skills Competition offers practical experiences that enlighten and inspire students beyond textbooks.

Phengyang Yiachue, the bronze medalist in the Rail Signal Control Technology from Laos, said that participating in the track signal control technology project provided him with numerous unforgettable experiences and revealed areas for improvement during the competition.

He mentioned the China-Laos Railway as a key project of the Belt and Road Initiative and expressed anticipation for enhancing cooperation between Laos and China by improving skill levels, deepening technical exchanges, actively pursuing research projects, and promoting skills and innovation in the future.

Mohammed Salifou, the winner of the Excellence Award in Industrial Robot System Operation from Benin, praised the international skills competition's technical platform, describing it as excellent for both competition and sharing.

Salifou explained that he gained extensive knowledge about Industrial Robot System Operation, including electrical and control systems, from contestants from China, Thailand, and other regions, which complemented his learning in Benin.

He hopes to advance in industrial robot systems by bringing innovations from other countries to Benin and then to the world. Salifou also plans to establish a startup in Benin and invites others interested in startups to join him.

Over 80,000 people from domestic and abroad attended to observe the Second Belt and Road International Skills Competition. (Photo/The Second Belt and Road International Skills Competition)

The open nature of the competition attracted widespread social attention, with over 80,000 people from domestic and abroad attending to observe the competition, understand the vocational skills development trends of the Belt and Road Initiative partner countries, and experience the charm of vocational skills up close.

Over 500 reporters from more than 60 global media outlets focused on the competition. As of the evening of the 26th, there were over a thousand related international reports and tweets, covering 65 countries and regions, including the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, France, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, and Pakistan.