China and South Asia: heart-to-heart exchanges last long

A Nepalese seller (left) introduces products to a visitor during the China-South Asia Expo. LIU RANYANG/CHINA NEWS SERVICE

Chinese enterprises lend wings to Maldives tourism development

The sunshine at 4° north latitude bathes the blue waters as airplanes arrive smoothly one after another at Velana International Airport in the Maldives. Tourists from around the globe come in an endless stream, enchanted by the coastline adorned with white sandy beaches.

Sun Luzhen, the executive manager of Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG) for the Velana International Airport Transformation and Expansion Project in the Maldives, has been working in Malé, the capital, for six years. The least senior member of his team has been there for over four years. “When I first arrived in the Maldives, the airport was quite basic, and travelers often had to wait for hours to check in,” Sun recalled.

In 2014, China and the Maldives signed an agreement for the airport Transformation and Expansion Project, marking the beginning of a transformation for the Maldives’ gateway to the world. However, the project faced initial challenges. Zhao Guangyong, an employee of BUCG, explained, “Almost all construction materials and equipment had to be imported, resulting in lengthy procurement and transportation cycles. When we first started collaborating on the program, we encountered differences and disagreements in design concepts and cultural approaches between the two countries.”

Starting with the new office buildings and the runways, the mutual understanding and trust between the two sides deepened through ongoing exchanges and communications, leading to the successful delivery of high-quality projects. As a result, the Maldives side signed additional new agreements with the Chinese side. Today, the airport’s apron is wider and more modern, equipped with various supporting facilities like fire stations and fuel depots, while the newly constructed runway is capable of accommodating the world’s largest aircraft. Over the past decade, the Velana International Airport Transformation and Expansion Project has gradually evolved into a comprehensive cluster of projects within the Maldives.

Mohamed Solah, Chief Development Officer of the Maldives Airports Company Limited, has been with the company for 24 years. He said that thanks to BUCG, over the past decade, the airport has constructed and renovated an apron area of approximately 250,000 square meters and reclaimed an additional area of about 750,000 square meters, resulting in a significant increase in passenger throughput. “Chinese companies are synonymous with quality, efficiency, and professionalism. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, all planned projects were delivered on schedule,” Solah remarked.

“Not just that, whenever we face challenges and need assistance, Chinese companies are always there to help,” Solah said. Recently, the airport experienced a temporary power outage due to a cable equipment failure, prompting the team to call Chinese employees for urgent support. “Even though this unexpected situation wasn’t outlined in the contract, the Chinese side responded immediately, sending 50 employees to help us with the repairs, and normal power supply was quickly restored.”

Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed, Chief Executive Officer of the Maldives Airports Company Limited, expressed his appreciation for how Chinese companies effectively adjusted their work schedules and working hours to accommodate important local religious holidays. This demonstrated goodwill and respect for different cultural practices, ultimately fostering friendship and earning the admiration of the local community.

Lü Suyi, a BUCG employee who married a Maldivian man seven years ago, shared that whenever she talks to her family, they hope that Chinese enterprises will stay. It is Chinese companies that have provided the Maldivian people with a cross-sea bridge and a modernized airport. “They frequently mention that if a project is entrusted to China, it will be executed well,” she added.

Today, the glass curtain walls of the Velana International Airport terminal building shimmer against the backdrop of the blue sea and white sand. It is well recognized that Chinese enterprises have provided a significant boost to the airport, helping the Maldives tourism industry reach new heights.

Dream bridge now a reality

About 40 kilometers southwest of Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, stands Padma Bridge—a 7.8-kilometer-long bridge supported by 40 piers in the water. This impressive structure is considered the dream bridge of the local people.

The Padma River is one of the most turbulent rivers in Bangladesh. Prior to the completion of the Padma Bridge, the lower reaches of the river remained without a crossing due to its wide expanse, fast-flowing waters, and frequent floods. As a result, Dhaka and over 20 districts along the south bank were only connected by ferries. Constructing a bridge to unite residents on both sides of the river has long been a cherished dream of the local community.

“My family has lived here for generations. In the past, there was no bridge, making it difficult for us to cross the river. We had to rely on ferries, which were especially dangerous during the rainy season,” said Mustafa, a supermarket owner who resides on the south bank of the river.

In 2010, Bangladesh began construction projects related to the Padma Bridge. China Railway Bridge Bureau Group Co., Ltd. and PowerChina Harbor Co., Ltd. were awarded the contracts to build the bridge’s main structure and to dredge the river’s waterway, respectively. The two projects commenced in 2014 and 2015.

After nearly eight years of construction, the Padma Bridge officially opened to traffic on June 25, 2022. This marked the end of the long reliance on ferry services between Dhaka and the residents on the opposite bank, reducing the travel time to cross the river from several hours to approximately 10 minutes.

According to statistics, over the past two years, the bridge has seen a total traffic flow of 12.33 million vehicles, averaging about 15,000 vehicles each day. Abdul Mateen, a resident on the south bank of the bridge, expressed his happiness about the new crossing. “In the past, it took at least two days to get home by boat, but now I can make the journey in just three hours, which is fantastic!”

It is also encouraging that the priority section of the Padma Bridge Railway Link, the largest railroad project in Bangladesh built by Chinese enterprises and crossing the Padma Bridge, opened to traffic in October 2023. This project utilizes advanced Chinese technologies, including ballastless track systems. During peak construction, it employed over 10,000 local workers, training more than 20,000 skilled Bangladeshi laborers.

“It feels amazing to cross the Padma River by train!” said a passenger named Sadman. “Without China and the Chinese enterprises and builders, we could not have achieved this milestone on our own.”

Medical cooperation strengthens China-Nepal friendship

Hospitals and clinics built with China’s assistance in Nepal have started operations one after another. Members of the Chinese medical teams have been dedicated to safeguarding the health of the Nepalese people, and the China-Nepal Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has provided voluntary diagnosis, training, and medical services in Nepal. In recent years, cooperation between China and Nepal in the healthcare sector has grown increasingly close, yielding significant results, particularly in the area of traditional medicine.

The B.P. Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital, constructed with China’s assistance, is located in Chitwan, Nepal. It is the largest and most technologically advanced diagnostic and treatment center in the country, serving as a model of cooperation between the two nations. Over the past 20 years, various Chinese medical teams have continuously provided medical services to the Nepalese people, showcasing their exceptional skills and compassionate care.

“Over the past years, members of the Chinese medical teams have collaborated closely with Nepalese medical personnel to implement a series of medical assistance programs,” said Bijay Raj, director of the B.P. Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital. Nearly 70 percent of the hospital’s Nepalese staff have studied or received training in China, and he is one of them.

On the southwest outskirts of Kathmandu stands the Chinese-aided Traditional Medicine Research and Training Center, a modern medical institution that combines the study, research, and training of traditional medicine. In the traditional Chinese medicine physical therapy clinic, our reporters observed Nepali doctor Bi Huake treating a patient with rheumatoid arthritis. “Due to environmental and climatic factors, many Nepalese people suffer from arthralgia and neuralgia. We innovate treatment methods by combining TCM acupuncture and massage with traditional Nepalese medicine, allowing patients to typically recover in about 10 days,” said the doctor.

Bi graduated with an undergraduate degree in Ayurvedic Traditional Medicine from Tribhuvan University in Nepal and holds a Master of Science in Chinese Medicine from Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He cherishes many fond memories from his four years of study in China. “My mentor was always patient, answering my questions and helping me enhance my diagnostic and treatment skills.” Today, Bi serves as a medical consultant at the Traditional Medicine Research and Training Center. “Even now, I reach out to my Chinese mentor online whenever I encounter difficulties during treatment,” he said.

With the growing popularity of traditional Chinese medicine in Nepal, an increasing number of Nepalese students are traveling to China to study this field. Many choose to work at the Traditional Medicine Research and Training Center upon their return, dedicating themselves to fostering cooperation in traditional medicine between the two countries.

“Traditional Chinese medicine boasts unique advantages in its theoretical framework, diagnostic and therapeutic methods, and drug applications, while Nepal is rich in natural medicinal resources. Through exchanges and cooperation, the two countries can leverage each other’s strengths to jointly advance the development of traditional medicine,” said Ram, director of the center.

“Healthcare cooperation is a vital aspect of the friendly relations between China and Nepal,” said Chen Song, the Chinese ambassador to Nepal. “The relevant cooperation projects will foster exchanges and collaboration in the medical field between our two nations, further deepening the friendship and understanding between our peoples.”

Text by our staff correspondents
Translated by YNTA