Jointly building the "the Belt and Road": promoting mutually beneficial cooperation to improve people's well-being

    The Arab countries are natural partners in jointly building the "the Belt and Road". At present, China and Arab countries adhere to the principle of joint consultation, joint construction and sharing, and jointly promote policy communication, facility connectivity, smooth trade, financial integration, and people to people connectivity. The "the Belt and Road" is increasingly becoming a road of development, health, and environmental protection, bringing tangible sense of gain and happiness to the people of Arab countries. 

    Iraq Demonstration School 

    A milestone in the cooperation between Iran and China 

    At the beginning of this year, Iraqi Prime Minister Sudani attended the handover ceremony of School No. 20 in Nasiriyah City, Dhi Qar Province, Iraq. This is the first completed and handed over school in the Iraq Demonstration School Project constructed by China Electric Power Construction Group Co., Ltd. The transfer of the school is a milestone in the cooperation between Iran and China, "said Sudani in his speech." The efficient performance of Chinese enterprises deserves recognition, and the high-quality implementation of the project reflects the high level of the enterprise. 

    The war and conflict have caused serious damage to Iraq's schools and other basic infrastructure, and the Iraqi government plans to build 8000 new schools by 2030. In 2021, China and Iraq signed a cooperation agreement to help Iraq build 1000 demonstration schools. China Electric Power Construction has undertaken 679 schools distributed in 10 provinces. Among the 652 schools that have been capped, 150 are undergoing handover and acceptance, and 19 have been handed over. According to the plan, the project will be fully completed this year.

    12-year-old middle school student Ahmad lives in the community near Demonstration School No. 20 in Kut City, Wasit Province. Recently, under the guidance of the on duty engineer, Ahmad visited a demonstration school. Everything is fantastic! "He exclaimed excitedly, with spacious and bright classrooms, modern buildings, and a courtyard filled with flowers and plants. I am very much looking forward to the school being put into use as soon as possible, so that I don't have to ride my bike to school far away every day! "Ahmad is full of anticipation for the upcoming life. 

    Luban Academy in Egypt 

    Train a large number of construction talents for the local area 

    Engineer Abdul is conducting mechanical and electrical system testing for the Twin Towers in the central business district of Egypt's new administrative capital. Abdul graduated from Ain Shams University and received on-site "mentorship" and related professional training at the "Luban Academy". Now, he is able to independently handle projects. 

    The Central Business District project of Egypt's new administrative capital is undertaken by China State Construction Engineering Corporation Egypt Branch, which includes 20 high-rise buildings and supporting municipal engineering. After completion, it will give Egypt a world-class central business district and drive the development of the Suez Canal Economic Belt and the Red Sea Economic Belt. In order to meet the needs of project construction and cultivate construction talents for Egypt's future development, in January 2020, China Construction Egypt established the educational public welfare institution "Luban Academy", aiming to promote the skills improvement of local industrial workers and managers. 

     It is reported that "Luban College" offers courses such as technical quality, engineering management, business contracts, safety management, and cultural integration, and sets up different functional areas to carry out internship teaching, skill training, pre job training, etc. The college has currently offered 25 training courses, with a total of over 10000 trainees. "This is a tangible result of the joint construction of the 'the Belt and Road' and the docking of Egypt's development strategy." Amulu, head of the New Capital Construction Management Committee of Egypt, said that "Luban College" brought the construction experience of super high-rise buildings to Egypt, "to train a large number of construction talents for the local area and help Egypt's economic and social development". 

    Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algeria 

    Bring joy to football sports 

    In 2023, the 7th African Football Championship will be held in Algiers, the capital of Algeria, with Nelson Mandela Stadium hosting the opening and closing ceremonies as well as the final matches. As the first national sports stadium in Algeria to meet all FIFA standards, including the World Cup, Nelson Mandela Stadium is regarded as a source of pride for the country. The postal department of the country also issues commemorative stamps, with pictures of the sports stadium printed on the stamps. 

    The Nelson Mandela Stadium is constructed by China Railway Construction Engineering Group Co., Ltd. It covers an area of approximately 410000 square meters, with a total construction area of approximately 136000 square meters, and can accommodate up to 40000 spectators. The stadium is equipped with a main stadium, warm-up training area, player lounge, and central high area platform, while the exterior is equipped with parking lots, helicopter landing pads, energy stations, and green parks. The main stadium has effectively solved the lighting and ventilation problems that may be caused by the convergence of roof structures through 9 lighting maintenance lights and 8 ventilation equipment. With the assistance of specialized maintenance fertilizers, stadium ventilation, and lighting maintenance equipment, the venue conditions meet the requirements of World Cup level competitions. 

    The Nelson Mandela Stadium brings the joy of football to the people of Algeria and even Africa. Chinese companies have overcome various unfavorable conditions, fulfilled their commitments, and completed such a complex engineering construction, demonstrating their strong strength and good reputation. Badawi Mohammed, the project manager of the stadium in Algeria, said that the project not only improves the level of local sports facilities, but also provides qualified venues for international large-scale events, playing a promoting role in the international development of the local football industry. 

    Djibouti project to eliminate blindness caused by cataracts 

    Chinese doctors let me see the light again 

    Upon learning that a Chinese medical team had come for a free clinic, Ahmed, who lives near the Asar Salt Lake in Djibouti, was assisted by his family to the scene for treatment. This elderly man in his seventies suffered from cataracts more than 10 years ago, but was unable to receive treatment due to the high cost he could not afford. Under the careful diagnosis and treatment of Chinese doctors, Ahmed's surgery was successful. I can see my beloved camel again soon! Thank you to the Chinese doctors for allowing me to see the light again! "The old man couldn't hide his excitement. 

    The Djibouti project to eliminate cataracts and blindness was launched in February 2023, jointly carried out by the Hong Kong based public health organization "Shared Foundation" and the Shanxi Health Commission, aiming to eliminate approximately 7000 cases of cataracts in Djibouti within 5 years. Over the past year since its launch, the Chinese medical team has performed rehabilitation surgeries on approximately 1700 local patients, with a success rate of 100%. As a project partner, Djibouti Salt Industry Investment Company, a subsidiary of CCCC China Urban and Rural, conducted cataract screening for more than 150 people in villages around the Asar Salt Lake, helping more than 50 patients regain their sight. 

    The Asar Salt Lake area has strong sunlight, and cataracts and blindness have been a persistent disease that has plagued several generations here. "With the project of eliminating cataract blindness coming to Djibouti and providing free cataract surgery for patients, more and more cataract patients are seeing the light again." In the view of Abdul Kadir, Deputy Governor of Alta State, Djibouti, this is not only of great significance to their health, but also allows the families of patients to see the hope of life again, and also enhances the friendship of Djibouti people to the Chinese people. 

    Coral Reef Protection in Saudi Red Sea Tourism Project 

    Highly recognized by local residents 

    Every morning, the marine environmental protection expert of Saudi Arabia's Red Sea tourism project, Shayib, travels over 80 kilometers by boat between the dock and the two islands where the project operates. His job responsibility is to take water samples and measure water quality, ensuring the sustainability of the marine ecology and coral reef system in the project area. 

    The Red Sea Tourism Project is one of several mega infrastructure construction projects launched by Saudi Arabia to achieve the "2030 Vision", covering an area of 28000 square kilometers, over 200 kilometers of coastline, and 90 islands. China Harbour Engineering Co., Ltd. undertook the construction of part of the Red Sea tourism project, while China Communications Fourth Navigation Engineering Bureau Co., Ltd. was responsible for organizing and implementing the project. Under the guidance of the owner, the original ecological environment of the island was monitored and protected. 

    In the marine environment, coral reefs are one of the most complex, diverse, and vulnerable marine ecosystems. The coral reefs in the Red Sea are the most abundant and dense in the western Indian Ocean. According to the survey, there are a total of 111 types of corals around the project, involving 42 coral genera. The project will regularly survey the coral density and health status before and during construction. Professional organizations will protect and transplant the affected corals in the construction area, and hire third-party environmental consulting agencies to provide daily marine ecological monitoring. 

    Day after day, I have become familiar with every beach and every species of coral ecosystem in this sea area. Despite the complexity and hard work of environmental protection, the Red Sea coral reef ecosystem is of great significance to the region and even the world environment. "In Saudi Arabia's view, ecotourism is an important part of Saudi Arabia's" 2030 Vision, "and Chinese companies actively fulfill their corporate social responsibility by taking strict protective measures during the construction process, making outstanding contributions to local sustainable development and" highly recognized by the local people.