Thirty-nine technicians from member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization received prizes for their skills at the closing ceremony of an international competition on Monday in Beijing.

Over 60 technicians from 11 member countries, observers and dialogue partners of the organization competed in the first SCO Worker Skills Contest, which started on Friday in Langfang, Hebei province.

The countries represented were China, Afghanistan, Armenia, Belarus, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan and Uzbekistan.

Competitors had to show ability in the fields of energy, chemistry, power, military technology, mechanical engineering and metallurgy.

The All-China Federation of Trade Unions hosted the event to improve technical skills and communication in the organization’s countries.

The event is the first of its kind among SCO countries and the first international event held by the federation.