The two-day grand final of the 2024 "Kylin Craftsman" Cup Cross-Straits Vocational Skills Competition and the Chinese E-commerce Anchor Competition kicked off, rounding up approximately 200 participants from both sides of the Taiwan Straits showcasing their talents on Nov. 14 in Pingtan, the closest place on the mainland to the island of Taiwan.

On the afternoon of Nov. 13, a lead-up training session was held to help participants prepare for the big day. As of 4 PM, preparations for the event were almost complete. Staff members meticulously checked, adjusted, and maintained the equipment at the venue to provide an optimal competition environment for the contestants.

"I major in hospitality management. And I'll be competing in the room service segment. I hope this event will help polish my professional skills and experience," said Zhang Yaqing, a freshman at Fujian Polytechnic of Information Technology.

"I'm looking forward to exchanging ideas and learning different perspectives and live-streaming techniques from mainland contestants," said Zhuang Kaijie from Taiwan who participated in the internet marketing lead-up training. He added that he had previously participated in the Cross-Straits Anchor Competition and that his love for competitions fueled his enthusiasm for returning to the mainland.

The competition features four disciplines: tea art, beauty, internet marketing, and room service.