Construction worker builds up reputation overseas

XI’AN — Zhao Quanyou had never imagined that his efforts would someday garner admiration in another country.

The 55-year-old equipment operator of a China-aided road project in Niue says he was astonished and felt deeply honored upon receiving a cordial invitation from Niue’s cabinet, as well as letters of appreciation from both the country and the Chinese embassy in New Zealand.

“Dedicated to the project selflessly, Zhao has deepened friendship between the two countries and peoples,” read the letter from the embassy.

Working for China Railway First Group, Zhao has been engaged in infrastructure construction for around 14 years, including working six years abroad on three overseas projects. He boasts extensive experience in operating dumper trucks, loaders and road rollers.

In July 2019, he went to Niue, an island nation located about 2,400 kilometers northeast of New Zealand, with six other colleagues from Xi’an, Northwest China’s Shaanxi province, to prepare for a 46.1-kilometer road upgrade project.

The road was built more than 20 years ago and had long been in disrepair, which has impeded the development of tourism — the local pillar industry — and affected people’s life.

China and Niue signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative in July 2018. The Chinaaid Niue Roundabout Road Upgrading Project is regarded as a critical aspect of this bilateral cooperation under the BRI framework.

Since the second half of 2019, the project had run smoothly and at the beginning of 2020, Zhao offered to stay in Niue so that his peers could return home for family reunions. However, the situation turned grim. With the outbreak of COVID-19 prompting the closure of ports and suspension of airlines, he got stranded on the island.

Initially, life in one of the world’s least populous countries was not easy for Zhao.

“I was all alone, with no one to talk to or work with, not to mention the poor internet connectivity,” he says.

Despite facing problems such as limited groceries, communication outages and homesickness, he gradually managed to tend to himself while bringing his life and work back on track.

Zhao saw that about 20 pieces of mechanical equipment were lying unused, so he decided to ensure they were properly maintained and ready for operation. “Activating the machinery and keeping it running to prevent damage from long periods of non-operation became an important routine for me,” Zhao says. “I felt relieved whenever I turned on the equipment to check and maintain it.”

Besides his daily work, Zhao would level the land and clear roadside vegetation to improve the appearance of the surrounding area.

Zhao recalls that once the local government sought his assistance to fix a road roller’s faulty engine. He fixed the equipment, winning the gratitude of the workers at the site.

“As someone who is involved in the China-Niue project, it is my duty to promote exchanges between the two countries,” Zhao says.

Having been away from home for almost three years, Zhao misses his family a lot. “I often share glimpses of my life here in messages,” Zhao says, adding that China’s Ministry of Commerce and the company are assisting him to prepare the paperwork to return home.

Activating the machinery and keeping it running ... became an important routine for me. I felt relieved whenever I turned on the equipment to check and maintain it.”

Zhao Quanyou, a Chinese construction worker in Niue