Zhu Xingyu, a third-level project manager of the International Engineering Department of the Aerospace Long-March International Trade Co. Ltd., is in charge of the Athi River-Namanga Road (AN Road) Construction and Upgrading Project.

The project, implemented by China Overseas Engineering Corporation (COVEC), is situated at Namanga between Kenya and Tanzania, a distance of approximately 135km on the Kenyan side of the border. It has great strategic significance because the AN road is an artery that runs through the East African corridor, extending from Athi River town in the suburb of Nairobi to Namanga Town.

The construction of the AN road creates positive opportunities for both Kenya and China. For the locals, it removes transport bottlenecks and improves road network connectivity and, it creates more job opportunities for them. Some managers of the project and 80% -90% of the construction workers are locals. On the other hand, for China, it establishes a good image for China’s companies and helps Chinese technologies to be constantly applied in practice and to be introduced to more countries. Furthermore, it helps locals have a deeper understanding of the Belt and Road Initiative. Zhu Xingyu is forging a deep friendship with locals during the implementation of the Project.

In addition, Zhu Xingyu expressed his feelings from his several years of work experiences. Firstly, it’s very important to cultivate all-round talented people who can deal with different environments. For example, when working overseas, we need to know the international and local laws, the standard technical requirements of the projects, as well as foreign languages. Secondly, in the future we may have to extend projects to more than one country, so we need learn how to quickly adapt to the local environment and respect the varied customs and standards of different countries.

Message to students:

Use your mind and hand. The great responsibility of our national development has fallen on our shoulders. On one hand, we should be brave enough to take it; on the other hand, we need be ready and be able to take it.

By: Wang Qiuju

Editors: Sun Xiaofang and Ross Colquhoun