Members of the Chinese team attend the opening ceremony of the 43rd Worldskills in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Aug. 11, 2015. The 43rd Worldskills, the world's largest international skill competition, kicked off in Sao Paulo on Wednesday. More than 1,000 competitors would compete in 50 skill competitions. The Chinese team had 32 competitors to compete in 29 skills. [Photo/Xinhua]

The World kills Competition occurs every two years and is the biggest vocational education and skills excellence event in the world. The Competitors represent the best of their peers and are selected from World Skills' Member countries and regions. They will demonstrate technical abilities both indidvidually and collectively to execute specific tasks for which they study and will perform in the future.

The 43rd World Skills Competition — the biggest vocational education and skills excellence event in the world — ended on Sunday in Sao Paulo with the most contestants ever, including the largest delegation sent by China.

Widely-known "Skill Olympics", it was the first time the competition had been held in Latin America. A total of 1,192 contestants from 59 countries and regions demonstrated their technical skills individually and collectively during the competition that began on Aug 11.

China sent 32 participants for the competition in 29 projects such as construction, welding and masonry. It was the third time China has attended the event.

Sponsored by the World Skills Organization, the Skill Olympics began in 1950 and has been held every two years. It aims to showcase the value of skills, raise the recognition of skilled professionals worldwide and build an important international platform for skills cooperation. All participants must be under the age of 22.

China formally joined the organization in 2010 and made its debut at the 41st World Skills Competition in 2011. Then it placed second among 51 delegations with one gold and five winning prizes. At the 42nd event in 2013, China gained one silver, three bronze and 13 winning prizes

Zhang Lixin, who led the Chinese team, said the games have great influence.

"The skills involved in this competition relate to both secondary and tertiary industries, especially manufacturing. So the competition may directly improve the ability of manufacturing related personnel and the quality of vocational education. Many countries, including China, have realized the positive role the competition plays in improving a country's manufacturing level," he said.

Zhang said the games are about more than just winning medals, and that they give China the opportunity to demonstrate vocational education and skills.

"World Skills can be compared to an Olympic Games in the field of skills. We hope society attaches great significance to the skilled talents at the event and they are seen as role models for young people. And it will help to lay a better foundation for the manufacturing industry in terms of skilled personnel," he said.

Ou Yuhao (2nd R) from China participates in the competition of electronics during the 43rd Worldskills competition in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Aug. 12, 2015. More than 1,000 competitors from some 60 countries and regions participated in the 4-day competition in 50 skills such as hairdressing, bricklaying, carpentry and Electronics. [Photo/Xinhua]

During the competition, participants demonstrat individual and collective technical skills to perform specific tasks for each of the professional skills.

Simon Bartley, president of the World Skills Organization, said that youth is the focus of the competition.

"Young people are more than capable of improving our world with the power of skills. That message should be heard louder and clearer than ever before," he said. “Their dedication and hard work will make sure our competitions have the opportunity to show the world (what young people will achieve).”

Among the Chinese competitors, Ma Weixin took an oath on behalf of the all the competitors during the opening ceremony. As a graphic design ace, her video design named “The beauty of Design” used to win a prize at World Youth Skills Day held by the World Skills Organization.

Zhou Bin, 20, from China’s Hunan province, is a master in masonry. He started to learn the skill when he was 16, following his father, gradually stood out from the crowd and was eventually selected to Chinese team to compete at the World Skills Competition.

During the competition, Zhou showed his efficient skill in building a wall. When other competitors only built two layers of brick masonry, he had already built nearly 10 layers.

Chinese experts Zhou Guolin said Zhou's skill is good and fast, but this competition focuses not only the speed, but also the quality of the work.