Some six hundred young Ethiopians are now taking part in a training program given by Chinese experts to manage the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway. The nearly 4-billion-US-dollar rail network has been built and operated according to Chinese standards. It began commercial operations in January of this year. Meng Qingsheng went aboard and filed this report.

Saliha Muhammed is an intern-captain on the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway. As a mechanical engineering graduate, she is among hundreds of Ethiopians benefiting from a knowledge transfer program.

SALIHA MUHAMMED, INTERN-CAPTAIN ADDIS ABABA-DJIBOUTI RAILWAY "The standard is good because we don't have this kind of standard before. So we don't have a standard to serve a train. Since for most of us, this is our first job. It's difficult to treat people with different behavior."

Luckily, Saliha has got professional support from Chinese experts to help her along. Li Youying is a 20-year veteran train captain back in China. She joined the railway line shortly after its commercial operations began.

LI YOUYING, CAPTAIN ADDIS ABABA-DJIBOUTI RAILWAY "We started with train-service etiquette, which includes service-with-a-smile. They have been trained to use proper language, with good manners and image. We also share with them our know-how and techniques for passenger rail transport."

The standard-gauge railway has been designed for an hourly speed of 120 kilometers. It was contracted by China Railway Group and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation. Some 750 kilometers long, the nearly 4-billion-US-dollar project connects Addis Ababa in Ethiopia's heartland to the port city of Djibouti. It cuts the travel time between the cities from three days by road to 12 hours by rail.

MENG QINGSHENG ABOARD ADDIS ABABA-DJIBOUTI RAILWAY "We can tell from the interior design and service here that the whole train has been made and operated according to Chinese standards. In fact, this joint program between China and Ethiopia has been the first transnational electrified railway in Africa. Along with the freight service it provides, this network improves Ethiopia's transport efficiency and brings the country closer to its industrial ambitions."

As of August this year, the railway had made nearly 90 thousand passenger trips. Its delivery capacity is continuing to climb each month.

MEAZA TECHANE PASSENGER "I like the service, because from Addis to Djibouti is a very long journey, it's direct, no stop, saving time and cost."

Until the end of 2023, Chinese companies will be responsible for the rail line's operation, preparing local staff for an eventual takeover.

SALIHA MUHAMMED, CAPTAIN ADDIS ABABA-DJIBOUTI RAILWAY "In the future, I hope to be in a better position in this train system. As I told you this is a big event in my country. So starting from a train captain, I want to move forward and something better in this system."

The sprawling railway line will hugely transform how people and goods move in and around Ethiopia. It also brings opportunities for Chinese companies to expand their overseas markets, and share China's standards with more countries in need. Meng Qingsheng, CGTN, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.