"Many people underestimated the importance of plastering and drywall systems, but in the competition errors made in the vertical and horizontal dimensions should not be larger than one millimeter," Ma said.

The WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition is the official replacement for WorldSkills Shanghai 2022, cancelled in May due to the pandemic. Skills in digital construction, health and social care, mechanical engineering CAD, and mobile robotics were also tested at the France edition.

A total of 62 competitions have been or will be held in 15 countries and regions between Sept 7 and Nov 26. The special editions in Switzerland and Finland are currently underway, and the one in Austria will be held in November.

Ma Hongda (in front of China's flag) wins gold at the Plastering and Drywall Systems section of the WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition in Bordeaux, France on Oct 22. [Photo/CCTV]