Chinese competitors Wu Hongyu and Zhou Chujie won gold medals in the computer numerical control (CNC) turning and CNC milling competitions, respectively, at the WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition on Sunday.

The manufacturing and engineering technology of CNC turning refers to the skill of creating prototypes from technical designs, using a computer-controlled lathe that cuts to ultra-fine specifications. 

CNC milling is the technology of shaping metal and other solid materials using a computer-controlled milling machine to create products used in almost every aspect of modern life, from cars and smart phones to kitchen appliances and prosthetic limbs. 

The two events were held in Leonberg, Germany from October 10 to 15, attracting global players from 26 countries and regions.

Famed as the "WorldSkills Olympics," the WorldSkills Competition is held every two years and aims to advance and promote vocational skills development worldwide.  

From 2015 to 2019, the Chinese team won three consecutive gold medals in CNC milling.

The WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition is the official replacement for WorldSkills Shanghai 2022, which was canceled in May due to the COVID-19 epidemic. This year's competition will have 61 skill competitions held in 15 countries and regions between September 7 and November 26, and the Chinese team will compete in 34 of them.

Ye Junfeng, dean of Guangdong Mechanical Technician College, told China Media Group (CMG) that the most prominent feature of the WorldSkills Competition is matching skill with practical production operations, as competition topics are based on real production tasks.

Chinese competitors winning the gold medals reflects the country's improvement in skill level and its growth in the manufacturing industry, Ye said.