By Yuling Chen, iChongqing News

Chongqing-The press conference of the Belt and Road International Skills Competition, or BRISC, took place in Chongqing International Expo Center of Chongqing, China, May 31, 2019.

The press conference of the Belt and Road International Skills Competition takes place in Chongqing International Expo Center of Chongqing, China, May 31, 2019. (Photo by Wu Xiao)

BRISC sets new records

BRISC sets a new record for the number of countries and people participating in the competition in China, and for the number of viewers watching BRISC via live broadcasts or on the spot, with nearly 100 million people watching the competition.

According to Zhang Lixin, head of the Professional Capacity Building Department at the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, BRISC is to implement President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative, and proactively promote the spirit of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit, embodied by the ancient silk routes. 

It has been the first large-scale international skills competition held in China for Belt and Road countries and regions. It is also a concrete action to implement the results of the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. Six hundred ninety-eight participants from 44 countries and regions took part in BRISC under 18 competition items.

Words of praise from WorldSkills vice president

Stefan Praschl, Vice President for Competitions and Chair of the Competitions Committee at WorldSkills, spoke highly of BRISC. The international skills competition held in Chongqing plays a vital role of spreading the mission of the WorldSkills, promoting the idea, standards, and models of the skills competition, enhancing exchanges and cooperation between regions, and promoting the development of professional skills.

The large-scale competition with broad participation displays standardized procedures, fairness, and justice. The success of the BRISC enhances the skills exchange and cooperation of the Belt and Road countries and regions and all members of WorldSkills and serves as a platform to gain a thorough understanding of skills and enhance friendship. The competition also demonstrates China’s skills development level, economic and technological power, and its capability to hold the event.

China to participate in all 56 items at the 45th WorldSkills Competition

Many contestants will join the 45th WorldSkills Competition, which will be held in Kazan, Russia in 2019.

Eight countries and regions including Russia, France, South Korea, and China won gold medals, and 11 countries and regions such as the United Kingdom, Japan, and Macau the silver, 11 countries and regions such as Thailand, Australia, Singapore, and Belarus the bronze.

As for its preparations for the 45th WorldSkills Competition, China will participate in all 56 items for the first time, striving to achieve excellent results.

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