The opening ceremony was presided over by Xiao Yaning, vice president of the Coal Technical Committee of the CWTA. Attendees included Li Shiming, president of the CWTA, former vice Chairman of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, and secretary of the Secretariat, Luo Meijian, secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of the China National Coal Association, Guo Zhiwu, vice Chairman of the CWTA and president of its Coal Technical Committee, Zhang Honggan, former director of the Coal Industry Occupational Skill Testing Authority, senior technical expert of the Coal Technician Committee of the CWTA, and chief range officer of the competition, as well as Luo Jianwen, Chairman of CKIC. 

The opening ceremony officially commenced with the solemn playing of the national anthem. Mr. Luo Jianwen, Chairman of CKIC, delivered a welcome speech and expressed heartfelt gratitude to all the participating units, leaders, and judges. High-quality coal products and sustained high-quality development of coal enterprises hinge on a technically proficient, innovative, knowledgeable, and skilled workforce.The vocational skills competitions serve as an important means for comprehensively enhancing the skill levels of participants. Luo also expressed his honor in co-hosting the event. Under the guidance of the competition committee, CKIC will actively cooperate, make every effort, and make arrangements to ensure the successful conclusion of the competition. 

Li Fenghong, director of the Party Building Department of China National Coal Group Corporation and vice president of the Coal Technical Committee of the CWTA, addressed the audience as a representative of the co-organizer. He expressed his gratitude to the competition committee, experts, judges, contestants, and all units and individuals who provided assistance and cooperation for the competition. Strictly ensuring the quality of coal is crucial to national basic energy security and is of vital importance to the efficiency and steady development of coal enterprises. Li fully acknowledged the vital role of vocational skills competitions in advancing the high-quality development of coal enterprises. He said that he would go all out to participate in and support the competition, actively cooperate with the organizing committee in all aspects, and pave the way for its smooth progress. 

Guo Zhiwu, vice Chairman of the CWTA and president of its Coal Technical Committee, noted in his speech that this competition was an integral part of the CWTA’s annual competition schedule. In the history of the Association, this was the first time to host competitions for coal quality testing and sampling and sample preparation. Additionally, it marked a significant milestone that the Coal Technical Committee, since its establishment, had hosted a coal-related competition. He further stated that this competition was a significant measure to keep up with the trend of the times and promote the development of new productive forces. It not only provided a platform for talents in key positions related to coal quality testing, sampling and sample preparation to demonstrate their skills and learn from each other by exchanging skills and techniques, but also effectively inspired more workers, especially the younger generation, to pursue a career based on technical skills and contribute to the country through their skills.

Li Shiming, president of the CWTA, former vice Chairman of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, and secretary of the Secretariat, delivered a speech and announce the opening. He called for recognizing our shared responsibility, promoting the working spirit, strengthening our responsibility to organize the event with high quality and ensure its success. Li also emphasized the importance of strict competition standards and discipline, as well as ensuring quality service and support to provide a good working and living environment for contestants. He urged all contestants to show their exquisite skills on the competition stage, while actively identifying areas for improvement, and striving for continuous progress, ultimately becoming leading high-skilled talents and making greater contributions to the rapid development of the coal industry in China.

This competition aims to enhance the skill level of workers in the coal industry, promote the development of new productive forces, and propel high-quality development of coal enterprises. After a series of selection, 109 contestants from 37 teams, representing 57 factories and mines in 24 groups from 13 provinces and regions, are ready in both theoretical and practical exams.

A contestant representative pledged

A judge representative pledged

The competition is inevitably kicked off. CKIC wishes all contestants the best of luck in the competition, hoping they remain calm and achieve excellent results.