Many who have come to China have done so because of the Belt and Road Initiative. For one young man from Kazakhstan, the initiative has given him a career in international trade, and a life in eastern China's Jiangsu Province. CGTN's Cui Hui'ao reports.

Sitting in the office of China-Kazakhstan International logistics Company, Yessengulov Darkman is checking the progress of imports and exports between the center, and his home country. Originally from Astana, Kazakhstan, Darkman came to China in 2007 to study engineering at Beijing Jiaotong University. Five years later, a career opportunity brought him to the eastern port city of Lianyungang. From then on, he became part of China's Belt and Road project, and has not looked back.

YESSENGULOV DARKMAN, INT'L BUSINESS DEPT. MANAGER CHINA-KAZAKHSTAN INTERNATIONAL LOGISTICS COMPANY "I saw a job posted by this logistics company and decided to work here. I speak the language fluently and understand the trade business. Now I am in charge of the international business division."

Kazakhstan is known for its wheat. Now, hundreds of tons of Kazakhstan wheat regularly arrive in Lianyungang Port, before being shipped to Vietnam. Darkman says this passage opens a new market for the grain, giving it a more competitive edge against its Australian and American rivals.

YESSENGULOV DARKMAN, INT'L BUSINESS DEPT. MANAGER CHINA-KAZAKHSTAN INTERNATIONAL LOGISTICS COMPANY "Kazakhstan is an important neighbor for China, and vice-versa. Not just for wheat, but also cotton and minerals go through Lianyungang and are eventually sold around the world. In turn, our railway and roads link China with Europe."

In Darkman's opinion, the Belt and Road Initiative has helped greatly with emerging markets like Kazakstan. As the first facility built since President Xi proposed the initiative, this logistics center has handled more than 12 million tons of cargo over the last four years. The cargo trains to and from here cover more than 200 sites in five Central Asian countries. Initially just here for the job, Darkman started a family in China, and calls the country his second home.

YESSENGULOV DARKMAN, INT'L BUSINESS DEPT. MANAGER CHINA-KAZAKHSTAN INTERNATIONAL LOGISTICS COMPANY "My wife moved to China with me and we now have two children. We spend most of our time in Lianyungang. I never thought I'd live in China but it's been four years already."

Lianyungang's strategic location has made the port a popular transfer station, clearing the way for businesses to reach their international clients. Asked about the future, Darkman says he will continue with this job for years to come. In his words, it is a good career. Cui Hui'ao, CGTN.