At 8:32 p.m. on February 10, the award ceremony for the 'Most Beautiful College Graduates' was broadcast on China Central Television (CCTV). Nine college graduates, including Wang Weixiao and Xing Sirui, who have dedicated themselves to grassroots work and public service, received this honor. Among them was Zeng Zhengchao, a post-95s welder and senior technician from China 19th Metallurgical Corporation in Panzhihua, Sichuan —the sole recipient from Sichuan this year.

Zeng Zhengchao at the launch ceremony

Zeng Zhengchao, a native of Miyi County, Panzhihua City, graduated from Panzhihua Technician College. At age 20, he represented China at the 43rd WorldSkills Competition and won the gold medal in welding with his exceptional skills, marking China's first-ever gold in this category at the event. He also received the 'Best National Competitor Award'. Upon returning home with honors, he turned down comfortable job offers and chose instead to work on construction sites, spending over 300 days a year at project locations and fulfilling his mission as a skilled craftsman under demanding conditions.

During his career, Zeng has participated in numerous major domestic and international engineering projects. He has innovated welding techniques, developed specialized tools to address technical challenges, filed nine patents, and authored technical reports, effectively translating hands-on experience into tangible outcomes that contributed to multiple projects receiving prestigious quality awards.

Zeng Zhengchao at work

As the head of the 'Zeng Zhengchao Welding Skills Master Studio' in Panzhihua City, he has taken the initiative in nurturing talent. He serves as an assistant coach for WorldSkills training, conducts vocational skills workshops for workers, mentors competition candidates, and visits schools to promote the idea that 'skills lead to success', passing on both welding expertise and the spirit of craftsmanship through mentorship.

Zeng Zhengchao at work

From college student to world champion, and from frontline welder to master craftsman, Zeng Zhengchao has remained committed to his welding profession for over a decade. He has received numerous national and provincial honors and has become a role model for today’s college graduates who choose to serve at the grassroots level and make meaningful contributions. His dedication embodies the original aspirations and sense of responsibility of China's master craftsmen.

Zeng Zhengchao at work

"I am a welder, and my value must be demonstrated at construction sites." Zeng Zhengchao said in a phone interview on the evening of February 10, adding that he will continue working on the front lines, applying his refined skills to production and sharing his spirit of dedication with fellow workers, so as not to betray the honor of being named one of the 'Most Beautiful College Graduates'.

The choices and sense of responsibility of young people shape the nation's future and hope. Since 2019, the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security have jointly organized the 'Most Beautiful College Graduates' publicity campaign, echoing across society the call to 'go to the grassroots and serve where the country needs you most'. This initiative has become a vital platform for guiding youth values and inspiring patriotic dedication among the younger generation.

【本文部分内容由AI辅助生成，特此声明。The author(s) generated part of the content in this work with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI), which is hereby declared.】