First team lands in Chongqing for 2nd edition of Belt and Road International Skills Competition

The second Belt and Road International Skills Competition will be held in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality from June 24 to 26. The event this year is attracting over 300 participants, referees, and related personnel from 60 countries and regions.

The team from Tonga, a Pacific island nation, was the first team to arrive at the Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport on Thursday night. The team consists of five members, including a leader, two referees and two players, who will compete in events related to the Internet of Things installation and commissioning and information network cabling.

Fatuimoana Pahulu, the leader of the Tongan team, said that this is his first visit to China and the first time for the team members to participate in the competition.

He expressed hope that through the competition, they can learn from China in the fields of information technology and computers, and bring this new knowledge back to Tonga.

Semisi Tuimotulalo Hopoi, a member of the team, said he is excited about participating in the competition, adding that he's been studying Chinese language in Beijing for six years.

Co-hosted by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the National Development and Reform Commission, the second Belt and Road International Skills Competition upholds the principles of "Openness, Intelligence, Green Development, Safety, and Uniqueness."

Wang Xiaojun, an official with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, previously told CGTN that this year's competition includes 11 skills areas from the WorldSkills Competition and seven additional skills areas tailored to the industrial development needs of the countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

"The event will feature a diverse array of competitions, exchanges, and exhibitions," she said in an interview on May 28, adding that digital technology will play a crucial role in organizing and supporting the competition, including the use of AI to assist judging.