A competition testing the skills of local engravers was held at Rugao Technicians’ School in Rugao, a county-level city in Nantong, East China’s Jiangsu province, on Dec 20.

Hosted by the city's human resources and social security department, the federation of trade unions and association for science and technology, the competition created an opportunity for craftspeople to meet and get to know each other, as well as to promote traditional skills.  

Contestants attending the event came from a range of different backgrounds, with some as young as 19 years old. And they had to prove themselves in a range of different tests, including by demonstrating their practical skills and theoretical knowledge.

Following two rounds of intense competition, 10 engravers walked away with prizes, with one person bagging first prize, two getting the second prize, and three getting the third. 

This skill has been part of local culture for nearly 200 years, and we are known around the country for it, said Zhou Tairong, chairman of the city's federation of trade unions.

I hope that the competition will raise the skill level of engravers and promote the local rosewood industry, Zhou added.

Competitors sit a theory test as part of a rosewood engraving competition held in Rugao, Nantong, Jiangsu province, Dec 20. [Photo/cpcrugao.cn]

A man chisels his creation for the competition, Dec 20. [Photo/cpcrugao.cn]