Technological training

To reduce the reliance of locals on foreign expertise, Liu has been a big advocate of promoting technology transfer and strengthening technological training. Given that there was no training school for electric power technology in Equatorial Guinea, Liu applied for $1.26 million from the Power Construction Corp. of China to build the country’s first technology training school for the study of electricity.

In addition he has looked ahead and established a joint training program between China and Equatorial Guinea for hydropower plant operation and management staff. Under the program, the Power Construction Corp. of China donated more than $1.5 million to fund 53 youth from Equatorial Guinea to have two to five years’ training on hydropower plant management in universities and training centers in China. In May 2013, the first batch of 35 students graduated and began working, which greatly improved Equatorial Guinea’s self-management of its industries.

“We focused on promoting the localized management of the hydropower project and hired local people to take part in the construction,” said Liu. By participating in the construction, local employees mastered various technical skills such as equipment operation, electrical engineering, welding, drilling, concrete pouring, and steel bar making and installation. The project created jobs for locals and thus improved their lives.

With his ardent interest in youth development, since 2009, Liu has been busy recruiting local university students to participate in project management and construction of the project in every summer vacation. In addition to salaries, students who excel are assisted with their tuition fees.

For his dedication, Liu has received the country’s highest civilian honor and has become a celebrated figure among his current and former employees.

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