Preparations in full swing for WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai

Preparations for the 48th WorldSkills Competition have entered the final stage as the event prepares to open in Shanghai next week to showcase emerging trends in vocational skills amid rapid technological transformation.

Running from September 22 to 27, the event will take place at the National Exhibition and Convention Center, bringing together about 1,400 contestants from around 70 countries and regions to show the world their mastery in 64 skill categories.

It includes both high-tech skills such as cloud computing and drone operation, as well as everyday trades like cooking and hairdressing.

This year's edition features seven new skill categories, including unmanned aircraft systems, digital interactive media design, rail vehicle technology, smart security technology, software testing, oral prosthodontic technology and retail.

The work of establishment and installation at the exhibition and competition areas has largely been completed, while technical support and reception services are in the final phase of preparation.

Inside the venue on Tuesday, forklifts and trailers were seen moving between competition zones as staff focus on the final detailed setup.

"All large equipment and basic materials for the competition are being delivered to the venue for installation and subsequent testing. We expect all preparations to be fully ready by September 18," said Gao Zhanfeng, deputy director of the Competition Department, Shanghai Executive Bureau of 48th WorldSkills Competition.

In the Creative Arts and Fashion section, visual displays will present contestants' work and progress in real time to enhance the visitor experience.

"For example, in the 3D digital game event, the final effect of a model will be shown simultaneously on external display screens, allowing visitors to better appreciate the finished product," said Chen Qiong, venue zone manager for the Creative Arts and Fashion section.

The Social and Personal Services section has introduced new technologies to support contestants and has added events closely linked to everyday life.

"In the hairdressing event, we are using an AI styling design technology for the first time to help contestants create better designs," added Li Xiaojie, venue zone manager for the Social and Personal Services section.

Preparations in full swing for WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai

Protectionism does not build competitiveness, but destroys EU opportunities for digital transformation, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a press briefing in Beijing on Wednesday.

Guo made the remarks in response to a media query about reports that the Connect Europe lobby group -- representing telecoms operators -- said in an open letter on Tuesday that the European Commission's proposed Digital Networks Act and the revised Cybersecurity Act could saddle the industry with as much as 40 billion euros in replacement costs, and risk "draining the sector of the very capital needed for fiber, 5G and 6G" infrastructure.

The letter was signed by 17 senior executives from European telecoms operators, among them the chief executives of France's Orange, Germany's Deutsche Telekom and Spain's Telefonica, said the reports.

"China noticed relevant reports. According to the assessment by relevant institutions, the Act will possibly cause loss of up to over 360 billion euros in the EU within the next five years. The open letter by the European telecommunication companies is yet another example that the EU's moves will only hurt others while bringing no benefits to its own. Protectionism does not build competitiveness, but destroys EU opportunities for digital transformation, harms EU's socioeconomic development, tarnishes its open-market reputation, and dampens foreign companies' confidence in investing in the EU. We hope the EU will heed the voice of reason across various sectors and not adopt discriminatory restrictions," Guo said.

Protectionism destroys EU opportunities for digital transformation: spokesman