An awards ceremony to recognize the work of individuals in industrial technological innovation in Harbin was held at Harbin Electric Machinery Co on Dec 21.

The annual event’s winners were chosen by Harbin Trade Union, based on recommendation from enterprises, expert judges and media organizations.

This was the second edition of the awards.

This year's entries for individual awards came from around 100 private businesses and State-owned enterprises. A total of 18 people, namely “Harbin master craftsmen”, won prizes.

Government officials, business representatives, as well as 10 prizewinners from last year’s event, attended the awards ceremony.

Ai Mingli, deputy Party secretary of Harbin, delivered a speech at the ceremony, conveying his warm congratulations to the prizewinners and expressing his hope that the spirit and achievements of the craftsmen would encourage more people to improve their work skills and drive industrial development and innovation.

Over the past two years, 28 people have been recognized as “Harbin master craftsmen”, and 20 of the prizewinners were skilled workers on production lines, whose ages ranged from 35 to 60.

Ai Mingli, deputy Party secretary of Harbin, delivers a speech at an awards ceremony for “Harbin master craftsmen” held at Harbin Electric Machinery Co on Dec 21. [Photo/China.com.cn]

 A representative of the prizewinners of the “Harbin master craftsmen” delivers a speech at the awards ceremony on Dec 21. [Photo/China.com.cn]

Harbin government officers and prizewinners pose at the awards ceremony at Harbin Electric Machinery Co on Dec 21. [Photo/China.com.cn]