Gao Yuan, got her master’s degree at Tianjin University in 2007 and now works as a business manager at China Machinery Engineering Co., Ltd. (CMEC). She participated in the Belarus Braille 427MW Combined Cyclic Power Plant Project launched in 2011.

The project was the first one that CMEC had contracted with an Eastern European country and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). After the completion of the project, the proprietors spoke highly of it and said that the generator units used in the project were currently the most efficient in Belarus. The project was awarded first prize for design excellence in 2014 by the China Electric Power Planning & Engineering Association (CEPPEA), and was awarded the Luban Prize for a Construction Project in 2015 by the China Construction Industry Association (CCIA). During the implementation of the project, Gao Yuan was mainly responsible for business affairs. She played a part in the bidding, negotiation, contract execution and communication with the Export-Import Bank of China, etc.

Remarkable for its perfect plan, implementation and localized management, it is regarded as a model project in building the Belt and Road strategy. On one hand, the great success of the project brings CMEC a good wide-spread reputation in Central and Eastern Europe and the CIS. On the other hand, as an outstanding example of Chinese enterprises conducting projects abroad, it helps local people better understand China, and helps to win more opportunities for cooperation and to export Chinese technology and equipment. At one time, a director of the Belarusian power plant did not know of China's progress, thinking that China was very backward, but now he has changed his mind. Now the number of Chinese enterprises in Belarus has increased to more than ten from the one at the beginning of the project.

Gao Yuan believes that the Belt and Road not only provides valuable opportunities for China’s EPC (Engineering Procurement Construction) contractors and equipment manufacturers, but also helps promote the economic prosperity of the countries along the Belt and Road, creating more job opportunities, and improving the region's infrastructure.

When asked for her views about the project, Gao Yuan said, “China has advanced considerably and led the way in electrical equipment. China’s progress has amazed the world.” In addition, during the whole project, she also recognized the significance of decisiveness, which she thinks is a new requirement for future talent development.

By: Wang Qiuju

Editors: Sun Xiaofang and Ross Colquhoun