Over the past decade, 152 countries and 32 international organizations have signed up to the Belt and Road Initiative. As the initiative hits its 10-year mark, CGTN reporters have traveled to 22 Belt and Road nations across Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America, to uncover stories of collaboration, transformation and people-to-people exchanges. Starting from Beijing, they have embarked on a four-leg journey to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. In this episode, our reporter Liu Jiaxin visits Jizan in southern Saudi Arabia. Chinese companies have built a brand new commercial port and coastal park there in Jazan Economic City.

LIU JIAXIN Jazan "What was once a desert has clearly made a difference. Close to the Red Sea, about 80 kilometers away from Jazan in southern Saudi Arabia, with a coastline stretching for 11 kilometers, a one hundred and three-square-kilometer Jazan Economic City has begun to take shape. The economic city plans to integrate oil refineries, power plants, shipping ports, administrative areas, and living areas. This modern commercial port where I stand is part of Jazan Economic City. It connects to Eurasia in the north and the Gulf of Aden in the south, an important maritime channel. It is the first port in Saudi Arabia that a Chinese company has designed, built and then participated in operation. Starting from 2013, engineers of China Harbor Engineering Company settled in Jazan Economic City. In the past ten years, they have repeatedly won the recognition and trust of the owner, Saudi Aramco, with their professionalism and innovativeness. Not only have ports and roads and bridges been built, but also a seaside park that benefit local citizens have been constructed. In September 2022, the commercial port officially entered operation stage. This project has made the long-term passive situation of the southwest region of Saudi Arabia without modern ports a history, and is expected to promote the economic and social development of this region. It's been an important cooperation project for China to implement the 'Belt and Road' initiative and the Saudi 'Vision 2030' plan."