Soundbites

Editor's Note: Gold medal winners of the 47th WorldSkills Competition, held in Lyon, France, in September, shared their experiences at the event and discussed their future career plans at a news conference in Beijing on Thursday. They said they hope to inspire more youth and pass down their craftsmanship to future generations.

Completing the competition was not easy. It required us to design and install cable systems for telecommunication and network communications within very short time frames. A few years ago, China lagged behind in terms of information network cabling technology and facilities. Winning this gold medal proves that we are now front-runners, not just followers.

Li Hongyu, 21, Gold medal winner of Information Network Cabling

We Chinese competitors worked hard to win gold in an event that originated in Europe, where our foreign peers hold natural advantages. Our progress in this field can push the industry forward by improving technology and enabling people to create desserts using easier and more standardized methods.

Liu Xinru, 23, Gold medal winner of Patisserie and Confectionery

Winning gold is not the ultimate goal; rather, it's the recognition of one's skills and craftsmanship by the judges. For me, the true significance of this achievement is to pass on the spirit of craftsmanship. I aim to inspire younger people by teaching jewelry design and aesthetics.

Zhang Yupeng, 23, Gold medal winner of Jewelry Making

Chemical laboratory technology emphasizes both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Contestants must operate quickly, precisely and steadily. This technology is widely applied in daily life, such as ensuring the safety of drinking water and food. I encountered numerous challenges during training but overcame them through persistence.

Lu Jingyi, 20, Gold medal winner of Chemical Laboratory Technology

The competition imposes extremely strict requirements on precision and accuracy, with a permissible error range of just 0.02 of a millimeter — about a quarter of the diameter of a human hair. The repetitive day-to-day operations can be stressful, but I'm deeply grateful for the strong support I've received from senior skilled masters and coaches. Currently, I am offering skills training to key domestic companies and programs, helping them improve and update their techniques.

Long Weijie, 23, Gold Winner of CNC Milling