All routes along the Belt and Road Initiative lead to China, and for a young man from Kazakhstan, his modern-day journey along the ancient Silk Road led him to east China's Jiangsu Province.
Sitting in the office of China-Kazakhstan International Logistics Company, Yessengulov Darkman is busy checking the progress of imports and exports between the center and his home country.
Darkman, who was born in Astana, 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 the Belt and Road Initiative.
Kazakhstan is known for its wheat, hundreds of tonnes of which regularly arrive in Lianyungang Port, before being shipped to Vietnam.
Darkman, who is in charge of the international business division at his company, says this passage opens a new market for their grain, giving it a more competitive edge against its Australian and American rivals.
"Kazakstan 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," said Darkman.
In Darkman's opinion, the Belt and Road Initiative has greatly helped emerging markets like Kazakhstan. As the first facility built since President Xi Jinping proposed the initiative, the logistics center has handled more than 12 million tonnes of cargo over the last four years.
The cargo trains to and from the city cover more than 200 sites in five Central Asian countries.
Darkman started a family in China, and calls the country his second home.
"My wife moved to China with me and we now have two children. We spend most of our time in Lianyungang. I never thought one day I'd live in China but it's been four years already," Darkman told CGTN.
Lianyungang's strategic location has made the port a popular transfer station, clearing the way for businesses to reach their international clients. When asked about the future, Darkman said he will continue with his job for years to come.