A contestant is pictured during a contest of the second Belt and Road International Skills Competition in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality on June 24, 2024. The second Belt and Road International Skills Competition kicked off at Chongqing International Expo Center on Monday, attracting participants from 61 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

Nearly 600 skilled professionals from 61 countries and regions have arrived in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality for an international skills competition.

The second Belt and Road International Skills Competition, scheduled for June 24-26, is jointly organized by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the National Development and Reform Commission, the China International Development Cooperation Agency and the Chongqing Municipal People's Government.

The event aims to provide a platform for talented young individuals to communicate and exchange skills, as well as promote international exchange and cooperation in the field of vocational skills and to further advance the Belt and Road Initiative.

Themed "Skills cooperation for common development," 18 events will be held covering a wide range of fields, including digital construction, logistics and freight forwarding, electronic technology, electrical installation, automotive technology (new energy) and internet marketing.

The organizer said the average age of the participants is 22 years old, with over 95 percent of them being 30 years old or younger.

Diverse activities including exhibitions, seminars, dialogues and talent exchanges will also be held during the event.

The competition's first edition was held in 2019 in Chongqing, and featured contestants from 44 countries and regions.