A decade of building and living in Africa
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail China Today, September 8, 2015
Improve ;ocal life
In Uganda, Liu worked on his company's bid to build the state's tax bureau office building. He also took part in two projects in South Sudan, but Transtech had to call them off due to South Sudan's civil war and worsening security situation. Afterwards, Liu was transferred to China Railway No.2 Group Co., Ltd. and worked for the railway project in Ethiopia.
It was his company that funded the construction of the Ethiopian urban light rail, which used Chinese technologies in its design, construction, equipment, and operation. The project's first phase, with a contract value of US $475 million, built 31 km of track that is expected to go into operation this September.
"The light rail is a convenient urban transportation that connects the city's landmarks, including the airport, the headquarters of the African Union, the sports center and major residential areas," Liu said.
During his visit to Ethiopia in May 2014, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visited the railway's construction site in Addis Ababa. He called on the Chinese staff to share with African counterparts their experience in railway construction, train local workers and offer more jobs to the locals. China Railway No.2 Group has 2,000 administrative personnel and technical workers from China and employed 15,000 local staff members.
For Liu and other Chinese working overseas, being responsive to the needs of their host culture is a priority. In 2012, his company donated US $17,000 to Ethiopian's athletic delegation to participate in the London Olympics. At the request of Sebeta, a town adjacent to Addis Ababa, China Railway No. 2 Group funded the paving of a road to facilitate travel.
When a bus fell into a ravine 200 km away from the capital in March 2014, Liu's company immediately dispatched experienced Chinese drivers and cranes to the site and eventually helped rescue 10 or more passengers. It has also built football fields, donated office supplies and provided clean water free of charge to villagers near the construction sites.
"As far as I know, almost all African countries welcome investments from China, because the Chinese government does not impose political conditions on them," Liu said. "Most African people praise Chinese assistance and hope the Chinese development model, which has achieved remarkable results, can be adopted in their countries.
"They have seen how Chinese investment and enterprises have boosted the development of Africa's infrastructure, agriculture and healthcare."
But Liu did admit that some Chinese companies operating overseas are engaged in unscrupulous practices. Some force prices down or defame each other. What's more, the qualifications of some companies are not properly assessed, so projects are subcontracted and end up in the hands of incapable contractors. "This has tarnished the image of Chinese enterprises," Liu said.
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)