彭納
雄偉的非洲大陸在肯尼亞東部因為大海戛然而止,位于這片海域的拉穆島上至今仍保持著幾個世紀(jì)前的風(fēng)貌。彎曲狹窄的巷道、古色古香的建筑將人帶回到幾百年前的海岸小島。如今,拉穆群島附近的曼達灣700多米長的引堤從陸地伸出,工程車在25萬平方米的人造陸地上往來穿梭,幾百根鋼管樁躍出海面,遠處幾艘大型施工船有條不紊地忙碌著。由中國交通建設(shè)股份有限公司(以下簡稱“中國交建”)承建的拉穆港1-3號泊位工地上一派熱火朝天……
早在公元14世紀(jì),拉穆港已成為東非一個貿(mào)易發(fā)達的城邦。來自阿拉伯、波斯及印度的商人往來于此。印度洋對岸的陶瓷、地毯等奢侈品漂洋過海而來。在那時的拉穆,來自東方古國的中國瓷器備受歡迎。隨著古代海上絲綢之路的開通,拉穆成為了絲路上的重要一環(huán),大批的中國瓷器在這里集散,而這里也由此得名中國瓷器倉庫。自那時起,“中國拉穆”便咸了當(dāng)?shù)厝藢χ袊善鞯姆Q呼。海島上的小鎮(zhèn)因為彼時貿(mào)易的興盛而日漸繁榮。多少世紀(jì)過去了,隨著現(xiàn)代海運業(yè)的不斷發(fā)展,昔日的海港逐漸回歸寧靜,留下的只有曾經(jīng)關(guān)于海上絲路的傳說。
為了減輕蒙巴薩港擁擠的狀況,推動肯尼亞國內(nèi)東部和北部地區(qū)經(jīng)濟的發(fā)展,帶動?xùn)|非區(qū)域經(jīng)濟騰飛,2012年3月,肯尼亞聯(lián)合南蘇丹和埃塞俄比亞啟動了“拉穆港—南蘇丹—埃塞俄比亞交通走廊”項目。同年,中國交建從17家通過資格預(yù)審的國際公司中脫穎而出,獲得拉穆港項目的承建權(quán)?!肮緦l(fā)揮技術(shù)、人才、資金、設(shè)備等方面的優(yōu)勢,為肯尼亞及非洲經(jīng)濟騰飛提供高效的保障。”公司負(fù)責(zé)人在項目落地之初就這樣表示。
幾年過去,當(dāng)初的誓言在初現(xiàn)雛形的海港被一一應(yīng)證,700多米長的引堤將大陸與人造陸地連在一起。未來,這里還會繼續(xù)擴建,3個泊位建設(shè)下來,會填海1400萬立方米,造陸面積90萬平方米,打下1440根鋼管樁。
過去由于經(jīng)濟落后,拉穆島上許多青壯年勞動力待業(yè)在家。年近三十歲的姆瓦卡就是其中之一。在項目建設(shè)初期,他來“碰碰運氣”,經(jīng)過中國師傅幾年的傳授,如今,他已經(jīng)成為一名合格的機修工,負(fù)責(zé)工程設(shè)備的維修和養(yǎng)護。據(jù)悉,拉穆港預(yù)計2020年投入使用,到那時,港口將為小鎮(zhèn)的經(jīng)濟發(fā)展帶來無限可能,往日海港的繁榮將在新時代被續(xù)寫,很多世代從事海運的家庭將帶著對新生活美好的向往重新投入那片他們再熟悉不過的大海。
近幾年,隨著“一帶一路”建設(shè)項目不斷落地,越來越多的中國企業(yè)在順利推進項目建設(shè)的同時,也積極改善著當(dāng)?shù)氐沫h(huán)境,推動當(dāng)?shù)亟?jīng)濟的發(fā)展。走進老撾北部的波喬省,這種體會尤為明顯,正是因為中國企業(yè)的到來,這里終于從煤油時代步入了電力時代。
從波喬省會曬沿3號公路一路向北行駛,汽車很快駛?cè)肓松絽^(qū),狹窄的道路兩旁聳立著高山,公路蜿蜒著向深山延伸。一個多小時后,眼前豁然開朗,一排排高壓配電構(gòu)架及電氣設(shè)備出現(xiàn)在眼前,銀白色的架構(gòu)與導(dǎo)線在山峰上排開,與周圍的青山綠水共同繪就了一幅畫卷。這里是230干伏巴俄帕烏東輸變電項目,沿著婀娜的南塔河,輸電線路正源源不斷地把電能送到老撾的城市、鄉(xiāng)村,為區(qū)域經(jīng)濟發(fā)展提供了能源保障,也讓這里的村民用上了電。
帕烏東變電站幾公里外,有一個名叫萬磊的小村莊,村里住著200多戶人家,這里的居民世世代代生活在大山里,村子就是他們?nèi)康氖澜?,隨著巴俄 帕烏東輸變電項目的到來,村子里的生活正發(fā)生著巨變。
中國電力技術(shù)裝備有限公司巴俄項目現(xiàn)場經(jīng)理陳蔚華介紹說,變電項目在促進當(dāng)?shù)匕傩站蜆I(yè)的同時,也改善了他們的生活水平。萬磊村的小伙子呵翁在建設(shè)期間來到項目地工作半年多,從開始的挖基礎(chǔ)坑,到后來安裝設(shè)備、導(dǎo)線拉設(shè),掌握了初步的電工技術(shù),現(xiàn)在他已經(jīng)準(zhǔn)備去會曬在建的變電站工作,“每個月能掙300多美元,比以前種地、打獵穩(wěn)定多了。家里也用上了電,孩子們再也不用湊到煤油燈前看書了。自從中國企業(yè)來到這里,我們的日子過得越來越好?!焙俏痰莱隽隧椖拷o當(dāng)?shù)貛淼目上沧兓?/p>
隨著經(jīng)濟快速增長,老撾電力需求大幅增加。雖然水電資源豐富,但未形成全國電網(wǎng)互聯(lián),少部分地區(qū)尚未通電。2014年11月,中國國家電網(wǎng)公司與老撾國家電力公司簽訂老撾230千伏巴俄-帕烏東輸變電項目EPC(工程總承包)合同,項目規(guī)模約1.69億美元。2018年7月底帕烏東變電站帶電調(diào)試,8月移交老撾國家電力公司,很好地配合了南塔河1號水電站發(fā)電輸出,周圍的波喬省、南塔省已經(jīng)用上了該項目輸送的電力。“巴俄項目提高了老撾電力供應(yīng)的平衡性及穩(wěn)定性,為改善人民生活水平提供了堅實保障。老撾正在與中國公司合作建設(shè)更多的水電站和電網(wǎng),以后還會把老撾發(fā)的電銷售給泰國等鄰國。”波喬省電力局主管素立亞欣喜地說道。
中鐵十局到斯里蘭卡項目所存地小學(xué)送溫暖
中國交建承建的肯尼亞拉穆港項目 ? ?(新華社供圖)
2017年5月,在“一帶一路”國際合作高峰論壇上,國家主席習(xí)近平強調(diào):“在‘一帶一路’建設(shè)國際合作框架內(nèi),各方秉持共商、共建、共享原則,攜手應(yīng)對世界經(jīng)濟面臨的挑戰(zhàn),開創(chuàng)發(fā)展新機遇,謀求發(fā)展新動力,拓展發(fā)展新空間,實現(xiàn)優(yōu)勢互補、互利共贏,不斷朝著人類命運共同體方向邁進。這是我提出這一倡議的初衷,也是希望通過這一倡議實現(xiàn)的最高目標(biāo)?!?/p>
翻看這些年中國企業(yè)在海外發(fā)展的項目圖鑒,有的本身就是民生工程項目,有的則是項目推進過程中企業(yè)社會責(zé)任擔(dān)當(dāng)?shù)膶嵺`。國務(wù)院國資委綜合局相關(guān)負(fù)責(zé)人表示,隨著對外開放和“一帶一路”倡議的深入推進實施,探索如何更好地“走出去”,更好地履行海外社會責(zé)任,成為企業(yè)當(dāng)前一項重要和緊迫的任務(wù)。
企業(yè)在共建“一帶一路”建設(shè)中履行好社會責(zé)任已經(jīng)成為普遍共識,國家電網(wǎng)有限公司總經(jīng)理、黨組副書記辛保安介紹道,近年來,國家電網(wǎng)堅持把“人類命運共同體”理念落實到每一個項目,通過投資運營境外能源基礎(chǔ)設(shè)施、推進電網(wǎng)互聯(lián)互通、開展國際產(chǎn)能合作、參與國際標(biāo)準(zhǔn)制定、積極履行社會責(zé)任等多種方式積極參與“一帶一路”建設(shè)。
中國交通建設(shè)股份有限公司則發(fā)布了《“一帶一路”社會責(zé)任報告》,這是中國企業(yè)正式發(fā)布的首份“一帶一路”專題社會責(zé)任報告,報告指出,中國交建發(fā)揮專業(yè)優(yōu)勢,做所在國突發(fā)事件救援隊,積極參與所在國自然災(zāi)害等搶險救災(zāi)活動,積極參與助學(xué)濟困和社區(qū)建設(shè),為繁榮“一帶一路”提供中交方案。
的確,在“一帶一路”建設(shè)中,每一個肩負(fù)起社會責(zé)任擔(dān)當(dāng)?shù)钠髽I(yè),都將是“一帶一路”民心相通的構(gòu)建者,而隨著一個個項目的落地,從心到心到的連心橋也隨之落成,這些項目將是新時代友誼的見證。
Vast and far-flung, African contment stretchesaway and away and then comes to a screechinghalt in eastem Kenya before the sea. Lamu Island.right perched on this expanse of sea,remainsunchaneed for centuries. Have a look at thosewinding, narrow lanes and old-world, genteelbuildings, and you will be taken back to a bygone era.Now,a over-700m-long approach bank protrudingfrom the land has been built at the Manda Bay nearbyLamu Archipelago. Here, views are constant sourcesof technical vehicles weaving in and out of the trafficon the 250,OOO㎡ artificial land, several hundredsteel pipe piles standing above the sea water,andlarge workboats in the distance moving around. Allshows that the construction of the No. 1-3 berths of theLamu Port project undertaken by China CommunicationsConstruction Company Limited (CCCC) is in full swing…Reinvigorating the time-honored Lamu Port
As early as A.D. 14th century, Lamu Port wasalready a city-state famous for its flourishing tradein East Africa. Hence, this seaport attracted manymerchants from Arab, Persia and India, who broughta diversity of luxuries like porcelain ware and carpetsto the Lamu Port from across the Indian Ocean. Backthen, Chinese porcelain from ancient China in theOrient enjoyed great popularity there. Later, as theancient Maritime Silk Road was developed, the LamuPort, well placed at a key link of the Road, emerged as a distribution center of Chinese porcelain, hencereceived nickname of Warehouse of Chinese PorcelainSince then, “China Lamu" has been used as a synonymfor Chinese porcelain among locals. Flourishing tradealso drove Lamu Town at the island from bust to boom.Yet, centuries later, with the constant development ofmodem shipping, this once bustling seaport fell silentagain, leaving nothing but a few old legends about theancient Maritime Silk Road behind.
To alleviate the traffic congestion in the Port ofMombasa, boost the economy of eastem and northemKenya, and enable the economic take-off of EastAfrica, Kenya worked with South Sudan and Ethiopiato launch the “Lamu Port-South Sudan-EthiopiaTransportation Corridor”project in March 2012. Inthe same year, the CCCC trumped its 16 competitorsworldwide that passed the prequalification and securedthe ownership of the Lamu Port project. “The CCCCwill press home its strengths in technology, talent,capital and equipment to underpin the economic take-off of Kenya and Africa in an e伍cient way,” said arelevant person-in-charge of the CCCC early at thepreliminary stage of project construction.
Through years of effort, the CCCC 's commitmenthas been honored one by one, as the Lamu Port isgiven a gradual facelift, where the aforementionedover-700m-long approach bank links the land with theartificial land. In addition, the planned extensions tothe port including 14,000,000 m3 0f reclaimed land,900,000 ㎡ 0f artificial land and l,440 steel pipe pileswill be built at the three berths.
In the past, due to the underdeveloped economy,many young laborers on Lamu Island were at home,unemployed. Mwaka, a guy approaching thirtyused to be among them. Just to try his luck,he wentto work at the construction site at the preliminarystage of project construction. And it never occurredto him that one day he would become a qualifiedmechanic specializing in repair and maintenanceof engineering equipment after several years oflearning from Chinese mechanics. It's reportedthat Lamu Port will be put into service by 2020.By then, the port is expected to open up a world ofpossibilities for Lamu Town's economic growth,which will help this seaport regain its previousprosperity in the new era,and will also heartenthose long-standing shipping families to place againtheir hope for a better life on this expanse of seathey cannot be more familiar with.From kerosene age to electricity age
As China keeps breaking new ground inconstruction projects under the Belt and RoadInitiative over the past years, an increasing numberof Chinese enterprises have engaged themselves inimproving local environments and boosting localeconomies,while making constant progress in projectconstruction. It's all the more so when you approachBokeo, a northem province of Laos-Without thearrival of Chinese enterprises, this small provincewouldn't have bid goodbye to the kerosene age andushered in the electricity age.
When you drive northward along the Route 3Highway in Houayxay district, capital of BokeoProvince, you will soon drive through a mountainoussection flanked by high mountains where the roadgrows narrower and narrower as it winds its way intothe depths of mountains. After an hour's drive, youwill arrive at a broad section where row upon row ofHV distribution frameworks and electrical equipmentcome into view. Their silver white structures and wiresabove the mountains, relieved against surroundingachingly green mountains and lucid waters, form apicturesque patchwork. This is the 230KV Ba'e-Parkou east power transmission and transformation project,through which an inexhaustible supply of electricity istransmitted from the Tha River to Lao urban and ruralareas to ensure energy supply for regional economicgrowth and give locals access to electricity.
A couple of kilometers away from Park oueast transformer substation sits a small villagecalled Wanlei, where live over 200 households. Forgenerations of local villagers who have lived inmountains,the village just means the whole world.With the implementation of this project, however,their lives have undergone dramatic change.
According to Chen Weihua, on-site managerof Ba'ePark ou east power transmission andtransformation project of China Electric PowerEquipment and Technology Co., Ltd., this projecthas created jobs for locals and thus helped improvetheir lives. Hewong, a young fellow from this villageever worked for over half a year at the constructionsite. During that period. he learned how to digfoundation pits first and then install equipment andwires, and eventually equipped himself with basicsof electrotechnics. Now, he decides to work at anunder-construction transformer substation project ofHouayxay, the capital of Bokeo Province. “With a monthly salary of more than USD 300,this job willbe a more stable source of income than famung andhunting. And the project also helps our village gainaccess to electricity so that our children no longercuddle up to each other around kerosene lamps forreading. Since the arrival of Chinese enterprises,we have seen constant improvements in ourlives.”Hewong's words have spoken volumes aboutwhat differences this project has made for locals.
With rapid economic growth, Laos has seen adrastic increase in electricity demand. Although richin hydroelectric resources, Laos hasn't yet achievednationwide connectivity of power grids, leavingsome regions still without access to electricity. InNovember 2014, State Grid Corporation of China(SGCC) and Electricite du Laos (EDL) signed a 169 million USD EPC contract of the 230KV Ba'e-Park ou east power transnussion and transformationproject. In July 2018 the SGCC completed the powercommissioning test of Park ou east transformersub station. In August 2018 it handed this proj ect overto EDL. Upon completion, this substation has givenstrong support to the coordinated effort to transmitelectricity generated by the No.1 hydropower stationalong the Tha River to surrounding Bokeo Provinceand Louang Namtha Province. “Ba'e project hasensured a more balanced and stable electricity supplyfor Laos, and also provided a solid guarantee forimproving people's livelihood. Laos is workingalongside China to build more hydropower stationsand power grids, and will be able to export electricityto its surrounding countries like Thailand,”Suliya,head of Electricite du Bokeo Province said happily.A tribute to people-to-people friendship in thenew era
At the Belt and Road Forum for InternationalCooperation held in May 2017, Chinese PresidentXi Jinping underscored, “Under the internationalcooperation framework guided by the Belt and RoadInitiative,all parties should join hands with eachother to tackle challenges facing world economy andbeef up efforts in creating new opportunities, newdrivers and new space for economic growth basedon the principle of achieving shared growth throughdiscussion and collaboration in a bid to realize win-win cooperation by drawing on each other's strengthsand keep our world on track towards a community ofshared future for mankind.This is why I proposed thisinitiative, and is also the paramount goal I hope wecan achieve throughit.”
As shown in the illustrated handbook of overseasprojects undertaken by Chinese enterprises overthese years, some are livelihood projects in nature,while some have helped improve local livelihoodsduring construction, for these enterprises are alwaysready and willing to shoulder their corporate socialresponsibility (CSR). According to a relevant officialin charge of the General Office of the State-OwnedAssets Supervision and Adnunistration Commissionof the State Council, as China keeps expanding theopening-up scope and advancing the Belt and RoadInitiative, how to better “go global” and fulfill CSRoverseas jumps high on the agenda.
Now, it has become a general consensusthat enterprises should deliver tangible results infulfilling their CSR. Xin Bao'an, general managerand deputy secretary of the Leading Party Groupof the SGCC remarked that, looking back on recentyears, the SGCC has adhered to the philosophy of“a community of shared future for mankind” in theconstruction of every project, and taken active part inbuilding the Belt and Road Initiative in a diversity ofapproaches (investing and operating overseas energyinfrastructure, advancing power grid connectivity,seeking intemational production capacity cooperation,playing a part in the making of intemational standards,actively fulfilling its CSR, etc.).
In particular, the CCCC has issued the Belt andRoad Social Responsibility Report, the first socialresponsibility report dedicated to the Belt and RoadInitiative officially issued by a Chinese enterprise.According to the report, by virtue of a proventrack record in professional success, the CCCC haspositioned itself as a rescue team for emergenciesof host countries and taken the initiative in localrescue and relief work, scholarship program, povertyalleviation and community building so as to provideCCCC approaches to common prosperity, the goal ofthe Belt and Road Initiative.
Whoever is ready and willing to shoulder theirCSR in the advancement of the Belt and RoadInitiative can contribute to the consolidation of people-to-people bonds. The more projects they complete, thestronger bonds they will help form between peoplesacross the world. Those projects are bound to stand asa tribute to people-to-people friendship in the new era.