Two captains from Xiamen and Kinmen jointly pour seawater collected from both locations. [Photo/WeChat account of Xiamen FTZ]
The 2024 Cross-Strait (Xiamen-Kinmen) Seafarer Skills Competition, titled "Joining Hands in a New Era, Sharing a New Future", kicked off in Xiamen, Fujian province on June 22.
Over 120 seafarers from Xiamen and Kinmen gathered at Jimei University, marking the first time that seafarers from both sides have participated in a skills competition together.
At the opening ceremony, two captains from Xiamen and Kinmen, who have long navigated the Xiamen-Kinmen waters, jointly poured seawater collected from both locations. This act represented the solidarity and cooperation between the seafarers of both regions.
Seafarers from both sides engaged in intense competition and professional exchange in various events, including water rescue skills, comprehensive firefighting drills, and a quiz on ship ecological environment protection.
Young university students from Xiamen and Kinmen formed four mixed teams to participate in a boat and raft race.
During the competition, maritime professionals and scholars from both sides also engaged in academic exchanges on topics such as seafarer education and training, employment, professional qualities, and rights protection.
They discussed the theme of "high-quality seafarers serving high-quality shipping" and jointly issued an initiative to build a high-quality seafarer workforce.
This competition and exchange event provides a platform for seafarers from both sides of the Strait to jointly enhance their skills while also promoting the integrated development of maritime talent and the shipping industry.