STORY: 19 foreigners among China's first officially certified hotpot chefs
SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 27, 2024
DATELINE: Dec. 30, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:46
LOCATION: CHONGQING, China
CATEGORY: ECONOMY/SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the event and Chongqing
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): CLAUDIA KATARZYNA BZYL, Polish examinee
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): VLADISLAV CHUTOV, Russian examinee
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): VLADISLAV CHUTOV, Russian examinee

STORYLINE:

A total of 54 individuals, including 19 foreigners, have received their vocational skill certificates as "hotpot chefs," becoming the first batch of professionals to be officially accredited for this occupation in China.

After passing previous cooking exams, these skilled workers from countries such as Poland, Pakistan and Ghana were awarded certificates of various levels during the Launch Ceremony of the Belt and Road International Skills Certification, held in southwest Chongqing Municipality on Friday.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): CLAUDIA KATARZYNA BZYL, Polish examinee 
"I really love eating hotpot, and Chongqing has many delicious dishes to offer. That's why I came here to learn how to make the most authentic Chongqing hotpot."

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): VLADISLAV CHUTOV, Russian examinee
"I have been studying at Chongqing University (for) four months. I have already participated in the hotpot festival and Mid-Autumn Festival. That's why I want to receive a hotpot certificate. And maybe in the future, I am going to open a hotpot restaurant in Russia."

SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): MUSHNIKOVA KIRA, Russian examinee
"I think hotpot is a signature dish of Chinese cuisine. The first time I tried hotpot, I found the taste absolutely amazing. When I learned that I could get certified as a hotpot chef, I became incredibly interested and quickly started preparing for the exam. The flavor of Chongqing hotpot is very delicious!"

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Chongqing, China.
(XHTV)