Exploring China Opportunities: New professions to be found 'inside' China's pipelines

In the beginning of this year, cities across China are speeding up the upgrade of their underground utility systems, as new technologies emerge to promote the industry and give rise to new professions.

Xia Xiaoyun, a pipeline inspection robot operator in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, says the robot helps workers avoid doing tough and risky jobs.

Chongqing, known as "mountain city" for its steep gorges and rugged terrain, has over 180,000 kilometers of pipelines crisscrossed under a land of 82,400 square kilometers.

Xia switched to this job a year ago, seeing a big chance in the market of underground utility network renovation. This year, he plans to acquire more certifications in this field and work in this industry for the long term.

"I need to consider how to improve myself and how to obtain certifications. Maintaining the good condition of the underground pipelines is a must, right? So, it may promise me a continuous development in this industry for the next few years," he said.

Xia's confidence comes from the constantly revitalized vitality of this industry. This year, the construction company he works for has received many orders from across Chongqing.

"Our company has a lot of business to do this year. The total contract amount is close to 2 billion yuan ($281 million)," said Li Jie, a project manager of the company.

Currently, Chongqing has 95 projects to renovate drainage pipelines. These projects got financial backing from government bonds, totaling 4.058 billion yuan. Among them, 17 projects have already begun construction.

Another company in Xiamen, a coastal city in southeast China's Fujian Province, is experiencing a surge in the industry. Anyue, a Chinese company in trenchless pipe rehabilitation industry, has garnered several clients from both domestic and international markets since the beginning of this year.

Tom Delvo, a client of the company from Belgium, said that there are a lot of opportunities.

"Because we suffer the same problems that they suffer here in China, especially for this kind of liner, there is a big market in Europe as well," said Delvo.

Liao Baoyong, the head of Anyue, said that with the rapid renovation of underground utility networks in recent years, they have set up more than 30 subsidiaries, branches, and offices nationwide.

This year, Liao has been especially busy as the renovation of urban underground utility networks has become a vital focus in both urban and rural construction. After visiting two cities in a row, he planned to attend an international exhibition to explore the international market.

"I believe this year we will have a significant development. Our output value in 2024 is expected to double that of 2023," Liao said. "Our current factory space is no longer sufficient, and the local government has allocated 100 mu (6.67 hectares) of land for our expansion. Construction will start in the first half of this year."