Overseas Chinese on the "the Belt and Road" ⑤), "I want to take my children to see the achievements of the construction of the" the Belt and Road "(power stations | projects | achievements in the past decade
The Xi'er River 1500 MW Gas Combined Cycle Power Plant Project is located in the factory area.
Gao Yang is at the construction site. All images provided by respondents
On the early morning of August 8th local time, in the small town of Shilin in southern Uzbekistan, China Energy Construction Corporation's largest gas combined cycle power plant in Central Asia - the Syr River 1500 MW gas combined cycle power plant project factory area, completed five stages of AIS500 kV regional reverse power transmission work over a period of two weeks. Since the launch of the Xi'er River Power Station project in 2021, as an overseas Chinese enterprise undertaking the business of temporary construction, earthwork, and road engineering in Central Asian infrastructure projects, Gaoyang's company - Huajian International Construction Company has been fully involved.
The "Silk Road Shuxiang Project", the Si'er River 1500 MW gas combined cycle power plant project, the Olympic City project... With the construction of the "the Belt and Road", Gaoyang's companies are undertaking more and more business.
"The world where one can unleash their skills is even larger."
In 2014, Gao Yang noticed that the word "the Belt and Road" appeared more and more frequently in his life. At that time, he had been engaged in foreign trade business for six years in Urumqi, Xinjiang: "Friends around him and some Central Asian trade partners began to inquire about and discuss the 'the Belt and Road'." Gao Yang gradually realized that the 'the Belt and Road' initiative would bring great benefits to Central Asian countries, and would also provide many new opportunities for Chinese enterprises and overseas Chinese. On the phone, he shared this idea with his father, who had been working on construction projects in Central Asian countries for 3 years, and it was approved by his father.
In 2016, when his father suddenly fell seriously ill, Gao Yang took over his father's company in Uzbekistan and shifted from foreign trade to construction. "The distance is like a mountain, and many things need to be learned from scratch. In order to quickly grasp the" tricks "of the construction industry, Gao Yang almost spends every day" soaking "at the construction site." I once studied at Osh Technical University in Kyrgyzstan, and I can speak the local language, so I can communicate smoothly with local workers. I also love to learn from the workers' masters, and they are willing to teach me. Prepare building materials, improve construction conditions, coordinate construction equipment... wherever there is a need, I follow up as soon as possible. "
"To participate in the construction of the 'the Belt and Road', the learning ability, execution ability and communication ability of construction project managers have to keep up." Over the years, Gao Yang has deeply felt the hard work of the construction industry, "projects often require workers to work continuously, which is a great test of human physical and mental strength. The environmental adaptability and hard-working quality of workers are admirable."
In the construction projects of the "the Belt and Road", Chinese enterprises have set high standards for overseas Chinese enterprises and local enterprises undertaking project business. "Chinese companies repeatedly emphasize 'strict construction according to standards'." Gao Yang has put in a lot of effort to study various standards in the construction industry, "each standard is supported by scientific basis, and only by strictly following the standards can we deliver project work that meets the requirements of Chinese companies." In addition, to complete the project, Gao Yang runs between projects every day: "There are many unexpected situations in the project. Sometimes, I have to drive back and forth between several projects for more than 300 kilometers a day, communicate and solve problems with all parties involved in the project in a timely manner."
After engaging in the construction engineering industry, Gao Yang clearly felt that since the "the Belt and Road" initiative was put forward, more and more Chinese enterprises began to enter Central Asian countries: "Chinese enterprises not only brought opportunities to overseas Chinese enterprises, but also brought capital, technology and management experience to the local area to help local development."
In 2019, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit was held in Kyrgyzstan. Gao Yang, a volunteer, noticed that during the summit, the "the Belt and Road" became a hot topic both inside and outside the conference. "Many Central Asian friends know that the 'the Belt and Road' is a good thing, and there are many cooperation projects." Gao Yang said, "Some local Kyrgyz businessmen told me, 'China needs to increase investment in our country, we want to visit China, and you can tell us more about China'."
In May this year, the China Central Asia Summit was held in Xi'an, Shaanxi. Gao Yang and his friends paid close attention to: "The Xi'an Declaration of the China China Asia Summit and the joint statement signed by China and several Central Asian countries pointed out the direction of future cooperation between China and Central Asian countries in the 'the Belt and Road'. We all felt that there were more opportunities and more space to show our strength."
"The days are getting better and better."
On the Xi'er River Power Station project, a local construction team has gained some fame. This construction team is led by Kyrgyz Andre and specializes in providing services for construction projects of Chinese enterprises in Central Asia. It has been highly praised by Chinese enterprises for its reliability, efficiency, and quality. Gao Yang sincerely feels happy for Andre's successful career.
In 2017, Andre was just a temporary worker at Gaoyang Company. "At that time, he was a divorced bachelor who relied on odd jobs to pay for his daughter's support." Gao Yang said, "Andre was very smart. He carefully observed and learned the skills and management methods of Chinese workers, humbly sought advice from their masters, and his work ability improved quickly."
In 2019, Andre served as a team leader in the company and was able to independently lead local workers to complete construction tasks. In the past two years, Andre has formed his own construction team and gradually established himself. "Now, wealthy Andre has bought a new car, built a new house, and reorganized his family, so he no longer has to worry about his daughter's alimony," said Gao Yang.
Aledek and Murat are a father son duo working at Gaoyang Company. Previously, Aledek relied on farming while doing odd jobs to support his son Murat's college education. "At that time, Aledek's daily salary for odd jobs was only about 60 yuan. He was down-to-earth and capable, but there were too few job opportunities and very little income." Gao Yang said that in 2021, after the start of the Xi'er River power plant project, Aledek came to apply. "After working for a year, he was promoted to become an on-site logistics administrator. This summer, after graduating from Murat University, Aledek recommended his son to work at our construction site. Now, the father and son's income has enabled the whole family to live a good life."
Gao Yang explained that this phenomenon of local people working with their father, son, and brother at the same time is not an exception. According to statistics, the entire Xi'er River power station project has created over 1000 job opportunities locally.
Gao Yang said, "After local workers arrive at work, we will first provide them with skill training. They will learn skills such as rolling steel wire, plate reinforcement, or welding with Chinese workers, and then become formal employees of the company. We will give them a raise in salary and also pay them social security."
"In the past, some local farmers and herdsmen relied on the weather for their livelihoods. Now, they can buy cars and build houses, and their lives are getting better and better," said Gao Yang.
"Some Central Asian countries used to be short of electricity and gas in winter. Now, with the implementation of a series of 'the Belt and Road' cooperation projects such as the Syr River power station project, this situation has been alleviated a lot," Gao Yang said.
"I feel warm and proud in my heart."
An event that occurred in the winter of 2020 is still unforgettable in Gaoyang. One morning, Gao Yang drove to the construction site and encountered a temporary inspection by traffic police while passing through the checkpoint. "After learning that I was Chinese, a traffic police officer asked about my occupation. I told him that I was a construction worker and that the road under his feet was one I was involved in building. The traffic police officer immediately said to me, 'Chinese friend, thank you, thank you China! My family lives on this roadside. This road makes our travel and life more convenient.' At that moment, I felt warm and proud," said Gao Yang.
"Many local workers who build new houses, buy new cars, or have happy events at home will invite us to be guests, and even invite us to sit in the main seat as a sign of respect." Gao Yang introduced, "When local elderly people see us, they will take the initiative to say to us, 'China is Uzbekistan's good friend, and we hope our friendship will last.'"
After the completion of the Xi'er River Power Station project, it can provide over 36 million kilowatt hours of electricity to the local power grid every day, which can meet 15% of Uzbekistan's domestic electricity demand and benefit millions of residents in Uzbekistan. In addition, the Uzbekistan Olympic City will be the venue for the 2025 Asian Youth Games. The project was completely completed by Chinese enterprises from design to construction, and then to completion and delivery. Gaoyang's company is also involved: "This project started in March this year and needs to be completed before December 30, 2024. The construction time is particularly tight. However, I believe that efficient Chinese enterprises will not disappoint people."
"Nowadays, in Uzbekistan, some landmark buildings are constructed by China, and some of the most remote and difficult roads are constructed by Chinese companies." Gao Yang said that the forklifts, bulldozers, rollers, excavators, dump trucks, and other equipment used in the project are all made in China. "The locals highly recognize the quality of Chinese made products."
Gao Yang said, "I am grateful that I, an ordinary infrastructure worker, seized the good opportunity brought by the the Belt and Road Initiative. In the future, I would like to take my children to see the achievements of the the Belt and Road Initiative."
People's Daily Overseas Edition
