Page 21 - 文化旅游2024-7

China·South Asia 20

Chinese enterprises lend wings to

Maldives tourism development

“有形的翅膀”承载希望

The sunshine at 4° north latitude bathes the been with the company for 24 years. He said that
blue waters as airplanes arrive smoothly one after thanks to BUCG, over the past decade, the airport
another at Velana International Airport in the has constructed and renovated an apron area of
Maldives. Tourists from around the globe come approximately 250,000 square meters and reclaimed
in an endless stream, enchanted by the coastline an additional area of about 750,000 square meters,
adorned with white sandy beaches. resulting in a significant increase in passenger
Sun Luzhen, the executive manager of Beijing throughput. “Chinese companies are synonymous
Urban Construction Group (BUCG) for the Velana with quality, efficiency, and professionalism. Even
International Airport Transformation and Expansion during the COVID-19 pandemic, all planned
Project in the Maldives, has been working in Malé, projects were delivered on schedule,” Solah
the capital, for six years. The least senior member remarked.
of his team has been there for over four years. “Not just that, whenever we face challenges
“When I first arrived in the Maldives, the airport and need assistance, Chinese companies are always
was quite basic, and travelers often had to wait for there to help,” Solah said. Recently, the airport
hours to check in,” Sun recalled. experienced a temporary power outage due to
In 2014, China and the Maldives signed an a cable equipment failure, prompting the team
agreement for the airport Transformation and to call Chinese employees for urgent support.
Expansion Project, marking the beginning of a “Even though this unexpected situation wasn’t
transformation for the Maldives’ gateway to the outlined in the contract, the Chinese side responded
world. However, the project faced initial challenges. immediately, sending 50 employees to help us with
Zhao Guangyong, an employee of BUCG, the repairs, and normal power supply was quickly
explained, “Almost all construction materials and restored.”
equipment had to be imported, resulting in lengthy Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed, Chief Executive
procurement and transportation cycles. When Officer of the Maldives Airports Company Limited,
we first started collaborating on the program, we expressed his appreciation for how Chinese
encountered differences and disagreements in companies effectively adjusted their work schedules
design concepts and cultural approaches between and working hours to accommodate important local
the two countries.” religious holidays. This demonstrated goodwill and
Starting with the new office buildings and respect for different cultural practices, ultimately
the runways, the mutual understanding and trust fostering friendship and earning the admiration of
between the two sides deepened through ongoing the local community.
exchanges and communications, leading to the Lü Suyi, a BUCG employee who married a
successful delivery of high-quality projects. As Maldivian man seven years ago, shared that whenever
a result, the Maldives side signed additional new she talks to her family, they hope that Chinese
agreements with the Chinese side. Today, the enterprises will stay. It is Chinese companies that
airport’s apron is wider and more modern, equipped have provided the Maldivian people with a cross-sea
with various supporting facilities like fire stations bridge and a modernized airport. “They frequently
and fuel depots, while the newly constructed mention that if a project is entrusted to China, it will
runway is capable of accommodating the world’s be executed well,” she added.
largest aircraft. Over the past decade, the Velana Today, the glass curtain walls of the Velana
International Airport Transformation and Expansion International Airport terminal building shimmer
Project has gradually evolved into a comprehensive against the backdrop of the blue sea and white sand.
cluster of projects within the Maldives. It is well recognized that Chinese enterprises have
Mohamed Solah, Chief Development Officer provided a significant boost to the airport, helping the
of the Maldives Airports Company Limited, has Maldives tourism industry reach new heights.