The Faces: 18-year devotion to Qingdao Port

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Closer cooperation on infrastructure, the economy and technology between China and partner nations has thrived since the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2013.

Thanks to these deepening ties, more Chinese companies have expanded their operations overseas.

CGTN is sharing personal stories of three employees who work in Chinese companies that benefit from the BRI.

In the fifth episode of "The Faces," Zhang Jun shares his working experience in witnessing the tremendous changes at the Port of Qingdao over the past few years.

Qingdao Port: The barometer of trade

The Port of Qingdao in Shandong Province, as the world's eighth busiest port by shipping volume, is more than 100 years old and has connections with over 700 ports in 180 countries and regions.

Zhang Jun at Qianwan Container Terminal. /CGTN Photo

Zhang Jun joined Qingdao Qianwan Container Terminal Co., Ltd, an affiliate of Qingdao Port Group, straight after completing college in 2001. Currently, he's the assistant to the general manager and is responsible for the company's container terminal operations.

Zhang has witnessed to the tremendous changes of the terminal in the last 18 years.

Tower cranes at Qianwan Container Terminal. /CGTN Photo

When he first started, there were only two berths. But now, the number has reached 11. As the size of vessels increases, the height of tower cranes has also surged.  

"I have witnessed the tower cranes increase from 38 meters to 40 meters, then 45 meters. The new tower cranes we purchased have reached a height of 52 meters."

Zhang said the Port of Qingdao has benefited a lot from the BRI since it was proposed in 2013. "It's led to growth in our throughput and an increase in the volume of loading and unloading containers. The most direct impact is that it's increased the port's revenue."

Zhang Jun at work. /CGTN Photo

One of the most obvious changes is that the size of vessels has increased from 300 to 399 meters in the past few years. Now it is common to see large vessels of 399 meters at the terminal.

The port opened 15 new foreign trade routes in 2018, 10 of which are for the Belt and Road countries.

"The port is the barometer of trade. I think this is an ideal description of the Port of Qingdao," Zhang said.

18-year devotion

Zhang's life is closely connected to the Port of Qingdao. From maintaining tower cranes to the management of container operations, he has been working here for 18 years.

A night view of the terminal. /CGTN Photo

It is not an easy job as the port operates 24 hours a day. "But when we finish the loading and unloading operations of a ship safely and efficiently, and gained the recognition of our clients and the shipping company, there's a sense of fulfillment."

The Port of Qingdao offers opportunities for Zhang to grow in his career and he's deeply attached to his workplace emotionally. "I really like this job. This is also a career that I will never give up."

Supervisor: Mei Yan

Project manager: Li Tianfu

Director: Li Ningning

Video editor: Li Ningning

Videographers: Fu Gaoliang, Wang Yilin

Animation and special effect: Pan Yufei, Zhang Tao

Designer: Saren

Copy editor: Khushboo Razdan

Chief editor: Li Shou'en