Young talents from around the world have gathered in southwest China's Chongqing city for the first ever Belt and Road International Skills Competition. CGTN's Meng Qingsheng tells us more about the two-day event from the contest venue.

It's a competition of precision and excellence. These young people are racing against time to create fine woodwork. They are expected, in particular, to make window frames based on a pre-set criteria.

SANGHYEUN LEE SOUTH KOREAN COMPETITOR "There are lots of curves to work on for this woodwork assignment. We did not expect that, actually. But I'll try my best to do what I can."

ANDREW PENGELLY WORLDSKILLS CHIEF EXPERT "There's a very intensive marking scheme, and the marking scheme is broken down into different aspects they would assess and check all the core skills of a joiner at a very high level."

The Belt and Road International Skills Competition has gathered about 700 competitors from 44 countries and regions. It can be compared to the WorldSkills Competition, an international vocational skills championship.

ZHANG LIXIN DIRECTOR, VOCATIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING DEPT.CHINA'S MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCES & SOCIAL SECURITY "Skills have no borders. All nations have the desire to develop vocational skills, promote employment and entrepreneurship, and enhance economic and social development. This event serves as a platform for skills communication, and cooperation. And it has recieved a positive response from countries along the Belt and Road."

The event is divided into 18 categories, which include social and personal service, information and communication technology, as well as structural and architectural skills. Participants are all quite young, no more than 25 years old.

MENG QINGSHENG CHONGQING "China has more than 160 million skilled workers, about one third of whom are highly skilled. To further improve their expertise, the nation has introduced lifelong vocational training programs. And this event is aimed not only at skills exchanges, but also at cultivating the spirit of craftsmanship on a global scale."

Skills in information network cabling are tested via three modules: optical fiber cabling, structure cabling, and a speed test.

SHAUNA TAN SHI-YU SINGAPOREAN COMPETITOR "This competition a lot of guys participate, because females are lacking in the category. I need to train hard to overcome it."

And here, competitors are tested for their culinary skills, which go beyond cooking. It also involves menu design, food presentation, and kitchen hygiene.

CRISTOPHER MATKOWSKI AUSTRALIAN COMPETITOR "If you just continue working in the same environment in the kitchen you're always trained in, you are gonna very used to it, and you're gonna find easy ways to get around. But when you go into new areas, you test yourself, push yourself and make yourself faster."

The competition is jointly sponsored by state organs, including the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, along with local departments. Exhibitions are being held to showcase local talents and skills, all geared toward a stronger spirit of craftsmanship. Meng Qingsheng, CGTN, Chongqing."