The meeting not only aimed to bolster the bilateral ties between Mauritania and the DRC but also tackled the persistent security issues plaguing the eastern regions of the DRC and the strained relations with Rwanda. In response to these security dilemmas, President Ghazouani pledged to offer diplomatic aid to support the ongoing Luanda and Nairobi peace dialogues.
According to reports, this high-level engagement followed closely on the heels of a visit from Rwandan President Paul Kagame’s envoy, Dr. Vincent Biruta, who serves as Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Post-discussion, Minister Biruta shared his honor at being welcomed by President Ghazouani and the opportunity to relay messages from his Rwandan counterpart, emphasizing the importance of their bilateral relationship and the broader challenges facing the continent.
Prior to this, a significant phone conversation between President Ghazouani and Angolan President João Lourenço, who has been mediating the Rwanda-DRC conflict, underscored Mauritania’s commitment to peace in the region. Despite the lack of an official statement from Mauritania, there is strong evidence of President Ghazouani’s dedication to resolving Africa’s conflict issues, notably the crisis in the DRC.
The urgency of President Ghazouani’s involvement has been heightened by the escalating conflict in the eastern DRC, driven by clashes between the national military and the M23 rebel faction.
Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), a political and military coalition, has openly expressed their intent to urgently dismantle the DRC government, condemning the lack of security and attributing it to governance that neglects and exploits the populace.
He criticized the Kinshasa administration for exacerbating division, deprivation, and corruption, thereby deflecting responsibility onto external figures.
Nangaa’s bold declaration of plans to seize control over significant territories, including Goma and the capital, Kinshasa, speaks to the profound discontent with the centralization of wealth and power in the capital, which is seen as unjust.
Adding to the discourse, Bintou Keita, the UN’s head of peace missions in the DRC, informed the UN Security Council about the strengthening position of the M23 group. She noted the group’s significant territorial advancements, including the strategic encirclement of Goma, following their recapture of regions previously held by the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) in late 2023.
In the wake of President Ghazouani’s peace-making endeavors, other political figures, including ex-Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, French President Emmanuel Macron, representatives from Qatar, and the United States, have all contributed their efforts towards quelling the unrest, showcasing a unified global stance on peace and stability in the region.
He mentioned that the citizens’ request for him to continue leading is not due to a love for power but rather because of his perspective on the country’s condition.
Kagame made these remarks on Monday in a conversation with Radio 10 and Royal FM, where various topics were covered.
He said, “I, too, see the existing problems, as I have eyes. If it were a country of choice and there was a capability for things to go well, I would have left a long time ago. If continuing would pose a problem to people’s livelihoods, then I would feel it.”
“People will say what they say, but we must look and provide a platform for Rwandans to express their thoughts. It won’t take much time, and it won’t escape me; if they were to say ‘this person has brought us this far’, I would leave before they say so,” added Kagame.
He commented that those criticizing him for staying in power for too long fail to recognize that the countries they govern are different from Rwanda or other African countries.
Kagame gave the example of the United States, a country that has been long established and has set its course, suggesting that what is done there should not necessarily be replicated in developing countries.
He stated, “Not all countries are the same around the world, what is done in one country cannot necessarily be done in another.”
The Head of State explained that some countries criticizing African leaders also have leaders in their ranks who may have different titles but have stayed in power for a long time.
He said, “Let’s say because it’s the Prime Minister of a certain country, they have the right to continue, they just change the title from President to Prime Minister or Chancellor, and stay there until they are tired. You know some who have been there for 20 years.”
He emphasized that what should be considered is what a leader does for the people, rather than counting the years.
“Citizens reach a point of fatigue. There should be policies to correct things so people don’t get stuck in that rut. If they haven’t grown tired, why should you?” Kagame wondered.
The President has agreed to run for presidency again in the elections that will take place in July this year, having been nominated by the RPF Inkotanyi party.
He began leading Rwanda in 2000, succeeding Pasteur Bizimungu who had resigned, and ran for his first term in 2003, in the first elections after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
This issue was addressed by President Kagame on April 1, 2024, during his conversation with Radio10 and Royal FM, in a discussion that covered various national concerns.
Journalist Aissa Cyiza asked President Kagame why the issues in the eastern DRC remain unresolved despite numerous discussions aimed at solving the situation, including agreements signed in Luanda, Angola, Nairobi, Kenya, and elsewhere, which have been largely ineffective.
President Kagame pointed out that the problem lies within the DRC itself, although people tend to focus only on the country’s eastern part. He highlighted that the issues in this region are due to the country’s leadership.
The President noted that while these problems are generally caused by the country’s governance, sometimes different leaders impose this burden on Rwanda.
However, he stated it is inappropriate and that the DRC’s burden should be borne by the Congolese and their leaders, not Rwanda or its leaders. “The burden should be on the Congolese and the leaders of Congo, not on Rwanda or the leaders of Rwanda. Rwanda has been carrying the burden of the DRC for a long time, and it is enough. Carrying the burden of Congo is like carrying the corpse of a hyena.”
The President mentioned that Rwanda has many of its issues to solve, making it infeasible to take on the burdens of other countries, including those of the DRC, which continues to be imposed on Rwanda.
President Kagame described the problems of this country west of Rwanda as a mix of numerous political dynamics, including regional and international politics, sometimes leading to some countries preventing others from exploiting this nation’s wealth.
“The Europeans say if we don’t treat Congo well and give it everything it wants, even if it’s not reasonable, Congo will fall to the Chinese, to the Russians, accepting the evil of Congo and emulating it, and carrying its burden so others don’t have to carry it so they can do what they do there.”
President Kagame expressed that whatever they do there and their cooperation does not bother Rwanda. However, he is concerned that those seeking to benefit from the DRC misuse Rwanda.
He mentioned that the issues in Congo are due to its leadership and the frequent changes in leadership, but even with these changes, nothing improves; the problems remain the same.
“Why do they do it if it yields nothing? What are they suffering from then? It’s said we have a problem because we have a leader who doesn’t change, but if nothing changes, even Rwanda will change. It’s about planning to ensure that this change does not become a reason for things not going well in Rwanda. A positive change is no problem.”
Besides these, President Kagame talked about the oppression of Congolese who speak Kinyarwanda, particularly the Tutsis in this country, stating that the hunt against them all should remind them of the need for peaceful coexistence.
“Among themselves, they should not be divided into Tutsis and Hutus. Once they start seeing it that way, those who persecute them find a gap to mistreat them, and all of them suffer.”
He stated that they should not have to ask for rights but should be granted them, asserting that the denial of these rights is why there are endless wars today, with people being killed and others becoming refugees in different countries. The President emphasized that the solution must come from the Congo, not Rwanda or even the United Nations.
President Kagame highlighted that another reason for the ongoing conflicts in the eastern DRC is the FDLR, who committed genocide in Rwanda but have been given a place in the country, provided with military equipment, with the goal of attacking Rwanda.
“This is not something we can solve; it is up to the DRC to address. We can only help in solving it. But what remains is to ensure that it does not adversely affect us and cause security issues. That is the responsibility we all bear.”
In a recent interview with the French newspaper Le Monde, Tshisekedi reiterated his campaign threats to wage war against Rwanda “at the slightest skirmish”, warning that dialogue was his “last chance”.
“I did not embark on the path of peace out of weakness, but it is the path of last chance, beyond which we will respond to skirmishes because we have the means,” he warned when he was asked if there is a plan to attack Rwanda.
Tshisekedi was referring to a mediation process spearheaded by Angolan President João Lourenço on the resolution of ongoing instability in the Eastern DRC fueled by the ongoing fight between the Congolese army and the M23 rebel group, which he accuses Rwanda of backing.
At the beginning of this week, President Kagame told Jeune Afrique that he does not take Tshisekedi’s threats to invade Rwanda lightly.
“I don’t think he has the capacity to understand what he is saying as the leader of the country. That’s a serious problem I need to prepare for and take care of… This means that one night he could wake up and do something that you never thought normal people would do,” Kagame remarked.
President Kagame went on to call out what he termed as primitive politics driving the new working relations between Congolese and Burundian politicians and their collaboration with the FDLR, a militia group that orchestrated the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi in Rwanda.
John Ntirushwamaboko, her husband, confirmed to IGIHE that Mukaruliza’s illness was sudden and brief.
“The tragic event occurred today, roughly two hours ago. She was under medical care in Brussels for approximately two weeks,” he stated.
In early March, President Paul Kagame appointed her as Ambassador at Large with a focus on regional integration efforts within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Prior to this role, she served as an Advisor within the same ministry.
Amb. Mukaruliza’s most notable tenure was as Rwanda’s first Minister to the East African Community (EAC), a position she held from 2008 until February 25, 2013.
Her leadership significantly contributed to Rwanda’s diplomatic and regional integration initiatives.
Between 2016 and 2017, she led the City of Kigali as Mayor, leaving a lasting impact on the city’s development and governance.
Her diplomatic career also included serving as the Rwandan Ambassador to Zambia and Malawi, roles she assumed after her mayoral tenure in Kigali.
Furthermore, from 2006 to 2007, she was the acting representative of the African Union in Sudan and previously the deputy head of the African Union mission in Sudan from 2004 to 2006.
Amb. Mukaruliza was not only a seasoned diplomat but also a skilled financial expert. She played a crucial role in establishing the Rwanda Revenue Authority, where she served as Commissioner of Internal Audit and later Commissioner of Domestic Taxes.
Her financial expertise also extended to the Bank of Kigali, where she worked as an auditor, and to the SOS Children’s Villages International-Rwanda, where she was the Chief Financial Officer.
Amb. Mukaruliza’s contributions to Rwanda’s diplomatic, financial, and governance sectors have left an indelible mark on the nation, and she will be remembered for her dedication, expertise, and leadership.
Central to this quest is its subsidiary, CCCC Tianhe Mechanical Equipment Manufacturing Co Ltd, nestled in Changshu, Jiangsu Province.
This facility isn’t just a manufacturing unit; it’s the birthplace of some of the most advanced Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) the world has seen, marking a significant leap in the engineering domain.
TBMs, the workhorses of modern tunnel construction, are at the heart of CCCC Tianhe’s innovation. Unlike traditional tunneling methods, which often involve labor-intensive processes like rock drilling and blasting, TBMs offer a less intrusive alternative.
They not only minimize the impact on surrounding environments but also ensure the structural integrity of the tunnel walls, making them indispensable for projects traversing unstable geological conditions.
The scope of TBMs manufactured by CCCC Tianhe is impressively vast. The facility boasts the capability to produce over 160 shield machines annually, with sizes ranging up to 18 meters in diameter, alongside 50,000 tons of large steel structures.
This diversity caters to a wide spectrum of tunneling needs, encompassing mud water, earth pressure, dual-mode, composite, open, vertical tunneling, and even rescue tunneling machines, thus demonstrating CCCC Tianhe’s commitment to versatility and innovation.
The journey of CCCC Tianhe is marked by a series of groundbreaking achievements that underscore China’s transition from a follower to a frontrunner in the global engineering scene.
From the first ultra-large diameter shield machine “Tianhe,” which shattered the foreign monopoly, to the “Zhenxing” mud-water shield machine that incorporated numerous domestic core components, CCCC Tianhe’s innovations have consistently pushed the boundaries of what’s possible.
Other notable achievements include the “Canal” shield machine, which represents a monumental advancement in continuous excavation technology, and the “Shouchuang,” a vertical boring machine designed for the challenging conditions of the Tianshan Mountains.
CCCC Tianhe’s TBMs have carved tunnels in over 30 urban areas across China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, and have crossed borders into countries like Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, Singapore, Russia, Lesotho, the Philippines, and more.
This international footprint is a testament to the company’s engineering excellence and its ability to meet the complex demands of both domestic and international markets.
The accolades and recognitions received by CCCC Tianhe, such as “National Key New Products,” “High-tech Enterprise,” and “Jiangsu Province Shield Machine Key Technology Engineering Technology Research Center,” further affirm its status as a benchmark in the global tunnel excavation equipment industry. These honors not only reflect the company’s technological prowess but also its role as a trailblazer in the field of transportation infrastructure construction and management.
With a mantra that resonates with the spirit of innovation—”Innovation builds dreams and shields the future!”—CCCC Tianhe is dedicated to making the world more accessible, cities more livable, and life better. This vision, coupled with a corporate spirit of “hard work, innovation, integrity, and harmony,” drives the company towards providing comprehensive, world-class services in high-end engineering equipment.
During a special session with journalists as part of the ‘2024 Travelogue of China’ Media Exchange Programme, Zha Chan Gmiao, the Executive General Manager of the Brand & Corporate Culture Department at CCCC, emphasized the company’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technologies and innovations to deliver top-tier services.
Zha highlighted the significant contributions the company has made in Africa and conveyed a hopeful outlook for the continued provision of high-quality infrastructure services across the continent and beyond.
He particularly noted CCCC’s capabilities and determination to foster a collaborative future with Africa through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
“For instance, in Kenya, the Mombasa Railway stands as a testament to our work, alongside numerous railways in Cameroon and harbors in Nigeria. Our projects include the construction of over 13,000 kilometers of roads,” he stated.
“Wherever you find railways, ports, or bridges, you’ll see the handiwork of CCCC. The Chinese have made substantial efforts in nation-building, and CCCC possesses the complete capability and commitment to partner with African countries towards a brighter future,” Zha elaborated.
With more than 130,000 workers, CCCC’s global presence spans over 150 countries and regions, securing the 61st spot in the Fortune Global 500 in 2021. The company is behind several iconic projects, such as the 55-kilometre Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the longest sea-crossing bridge in the world; phase IV of Shanghai Yangshan Port, the largest automated terminal globally; and the Beijing-Xinjiang Expressway, the longest desert-crossing expressway on the planet.
By 2021, CCCC had accomplished the construction of over 13,000 kilometers of roads, in excess of 180 bridges, 121 deep-water berths, and 17 airports. It had supplied over 760 container cranes, managed 23 industrial parks, and constructed and operated more than 10,000 kilometers of railways, with signed contracts exceeding US $100 billion.
He discussed this in a conversation on X, noting that after the Genocide against the Tutsi, the country was in ruins in every aspect, to the extent that rebuilding it required starting from scratch.
On July 4, 1994, the RPA forces managed to stop the Genocide against the Tutsis after more than a million people had been killed.
Stopping the Genocide was not sufficient since the country was in ruins in every way. Apart from the lives lost, infrastructure was destroyed by the conflict, and other assets were looted by those involved in the Genocide.
Tito Rutaremara emphasized that starting from scratch was necessary because much had been severely damaged, and there was no semblance of normal life.
He affirmed their confidence based on their experiences even before stopping the Genocide.
It was a significant event for us, but we had already been through such challenges ourselves, even though we were few and not the entire country. We had gone through a lot and managed to overcome it,” Rutaremara said.
“We were rebuilding, but we did not know we would have to start from nothing. We thought we had something to start with, but here we started from scratch. Everything we had done, whether it was our soldiers, RPF cadres, or every member who had sacrificed and contributed their part, gave us the confidence that we could rebuild this country,” he added.
Rutaremara indicated that although they saw it would take many years to rebuild Rwanda, they believed it was possible.
He said, “We would say it might take us a long time, but we will rebuild this country. Maybe the first phase was something we had completed, which was to remove the dictatorship, and then after removing it, you start to free the chains that are there including ignorance, economy, and others.”
Rutaremara explained that although a significant step had been taken, it required starting from less than zero, which motivated them to work harder.
He also pointed out that another source of strength was the goal they had set to secure the country and build unity among Rwandans.
“It is good to build from the bottom up; it makes us feel that when you reach something and find it completely destroyed and you feel you must do it, it motivates you to work hard to achieve it,” Rutaremara noted.
He revealed that if taking over the country had started with its leadership by President Paul Kagame, reconstruction would have been much faster since the pace of development started to become apparent after 2000 when he began leading.
Political expert, Dr. Ismael Buchanan, noted that saying the country was rebuilt from scratch is not a myth but based on the fact that there was no life and nothing to start with.
Dr. Buchanan stated that rebuilding the country was not a matter of luck or a lottery for Rwanda, but it required effort.
The investments created 5,235 job opportunities, with 94% of the workforce coming from the local market. The annual revenue from the investment stands at 1.8 billion euros (Rwf2.5 trillion).
Further, in its latest report, EBCR forecasts that the investment will rise to 383 million euros in the next five years, which translates to about Rwf520 billion.
Speaking during EBCR Investment Conference 2024 on Thursday, Bélén Calvo Uyarra, EU Ambassador, affirmed EU’s commitment to invest and scale up the presence in Rwanda.
“The private sector is a key engine for growth. It’s a driver for transformation and we are committed to this. We are very keenly working with the government in reflecting the role of private sector in the next national strategy for transformation,” the ambassador stated.
The conference brought together more than 120 participants including investors, companies seeking investment or selling opportunities, government institutions and development partners.
Various stakeholders and experts also billed Rwanda as one of the best destinations for medium-sized companies seeking investment opportunities in the African market.
The experts drawn from various sectors praised the country for its sustained economic growth, access to credit and markets, and robust governance, which make it attractive to investors.
Zano Mataruka, the regional representative for the International Finance Corporation (IFC), said the private sector in Rwanda is among the beneficiaries of funding from the organization.
Mataruka said IFC, which is a member of the World Bank Group, is open to entering into partnerships with companies dealing in agribusiness, manufacturing, services and infrastructure.
He, however, pointed out that the funding is only accessible to established firms, although the small businesses can benefit through loans offered to banks such as I&M Bank Rwanda.
“We are open to business and we would like to do more. Unfortunately, we can’t do smaller businesses but we can help them through our partnerships with banks,” Mataruka stated.
Mataruka further highlighted that Rwanda’s peaceful environment, regulatory clarity, and investments in the education sector make it an ideal destination for investors, in addition to its access to neighboring countries.
“Peaceful environment is what investors want. Regulatory clarity and strong governance are also key in attracting investors,” he added.
Laurent Van Houcke, the co-founder and chief operations officer of Bboxx, also praised Rwanda’s business environment, saying his company had achieved tremendous growth since entering the local market in 2008.
“In 2019 Kenya was our best market by way far and Rwanda was the worst because we were waiting as the government was still putting things in place but today Rwanda is our best market,” he said.
The Belgian-born Electrical Engineer from Imperial College London said Bboxx pilots all its sustainable electrification solutions in Rwanda before taking them to its 14 markets.
On his part, Philippe Watrin, Chief Investment Officer at the Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB), indicated that the organization is continuously enhancing its investment activities in Rwanda to boost productivity and demonstrate investment potential.
The ministry revealed on Thursday, March 28, 2024, that its plans to spend USD 7,937 (Rwf 10.2 million) per student in the ambitious four-strategy program with 32,973 students expected to graduate by 2028.
The new strategy is aimed at ensuring availability of a minimum of four healthcare workers for every 1,000 people by the next four years. Currently, one healthcare worker serves about 1,000 people.
The ministry plans to spend USD 141,288,063 (Rwf 182.6 billion) to increase the quantity and quality of trained health professional students in priority programs and USD 172,847,301 (Rwf222.2 billion) to recapture local faculty and hire visiting faculty to fill immediate teaching needs.
An additional USD 80,992,886 (Rwf 104.1 billion) will be used to improve training capacity and teaching facility sites and another USD 168,776 (Rwf217 million) in the coordination of the 4×4 reform implementation.
“Hiring new faculty in rare fields is the biggest cost driver, accounting for 44% of the total budget. Support to students for increased enrollment also accounts for 36% of the budget and about 20% of the total cost is related to laboratory, infrastructure and equipment needs,” the ministry said in its update on the implementation of the reforms during an event held at the Kigali Convention Center (KCC).
The new healthcare workers set to join the profession by 2028 will be drawn from at least seven professional cadres including resident and fellows (897), general practitioners (1,686), dental surgeons (185), pharmacists (832), nurses (15,770), midwives (5,209), and allied health sciences (8,394).
While lauding the program, the Minister for Health, Dr Sabin Nsanzimana, expressed confidence that the new workforce would also benefit the international market.
“The 4X4 reform will help us improve the way we deliver our courses and provide people with quality knowledge. We consider where they will work because they may be needed in the labor market both domestically and internationally. Although the epidemics are increasing every day, we can also explore opportunities in the labor market outside the country,” he said.
The ministry emphasized that 4×4 reform has been prepared and reviewed extensively through a series of consultations with the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC), Ministry of Finance (MINECOFIN), partners in the health sector and teaching institutions.
The 4X4 strategy was endorsed by the Cabinet on July 13, 2023 for immediate implementation.
On November 2, 2023, 31 institutions including 13 Higher Learning Institutions, 14 Teaching Hospitals and 4 professional councils signed a Synergy Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the 4×4 reform emphasizing the commitment to work together and share knowledge and resources where needed to increase Rwanda’s health workforce.
Currently, four development partners are also involved in funding and providing technical support for the 4×4 reform. The partners are Susan Thompson Buffet Foundation (STBF), Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Management Science for Health (MSH), and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
China, fundamentally, is a nation that has consistently shattered the norms of conventional success, establishing new standards in technology, infrastructure, and international cooperation.
The core of this advancement lies in a people-centered approach, focusing on quality, efficiency, and trust-based alliances. This strategy propels not only domestic progress but also cultivates an environment conducive to global collaborations, ensuring mutual development and shared success.
Within the expansive panorama of China’s infrastructure accomplishments, the Changtai Yangtze River Bridge shines brightly, not merely as an engineering wonder but as a demonstration of the power of dreaming ambitiously and the relentless pursuit of those dreams.
Located in East China’s Jiangsu Province, the bridge forms a crucial nexus between the cities of Changzhou and Taizhou, spanning the Yangtze River – the longest river in Eurasia and a cradle of Chinese civilization for thousands of years.
The Yangtze River, being the longest river flowing entirely within a single nation, originates from Jari Hill in the Tanggula Mountains on the Tibetan Plateau, winding 6,300 kilometers eastward to the East China Sea. It stands as the world’s fifth-largest river by discharge volume.
Historically, the Yangtze has played a critical role in China’s development, serving various functions such as water supply, irrigation, sanitation, transportation, industry, and demarcation.
The river is embracing a new era with the erection of the Changtai Yangtze River Bridge. This structure is not just a crossing over water; it represents a multi-dimensional avenue for high-speed travel, economic amalgamation, and technological advancement.
From its initial concept in October 2019 to the nearing completion of its upper structure, the journey of the Changtai Yangtze River Bridge has been a saga of surmounting obstacles and realizing ‘four world firsts’ in construction milestones. It symbolizes China’s engineering prowess and its vision for a future where distances are diminished, not just physically but also in the hearts and minds of its people.
Beyond its tangible features, the bridge acts as a strategic fulcrum in the urbanization and regional integration of the Yangtze River metropolises, unlocking new avenues for transportation, commerce, and cultural interchange.
Boasting an impressive length of 10.03 kilometers, it features a dual-layered design accommodating both rail and road traffic, thereby pioneering a new genre of river crossing infrastructure.
The upper deck featuring a two-way six-lane expressway is designed to enable swift travel at speeds of up to 200 kilometers per hour, while the lower deck with a four-lane highway accommodates conventional vehicular traffic, ensuring an uninterrupted flow of goods and individuals.
Constructed by the China Communications Construction Co (CCCC), the bridge’s completion is expected to drastically shorten travel times between Taizhou and Changzhou, thereby stimulating economic growth in southern Jiangsu and the broader Yangtze River Delta region.
As CCCC management articulated, traversing between the two cities previously took an hour and a half, but the bridge is anticipated to cut this duration to 30 minutes.
Today, significant milestones have been achieved, including the completion of the open caisson foundation in March 2021, the topping out of the cable tower at Pier 5 in October 2023, and substantial progress in 2023 with the northern connection and the assembly of the main channel bridge’s steel truss beam. Presently, the bridge is in the final stages of construction. The construction of this monumental project is expected to last five and a half.
The CCCC overseeing the project, is a leading global provider of large-scale infrastructure services, specializing in the investment, construction, and operation of transportation infrastructure, equipment manufacturing, real estate, and urban comprehensive development.
Boasting listings in Hong Kong and Shanghai, the company’s profitability and capacity for value creation are recognized as leading globally. In 2021, CCCC achieved the 61st rank in the Fortune Global 500.
With over 60 wholly-owned or controlled subsidiaries and a history spanning a century, CCCC has been at the forefront of industry innovation in China. The company’s products and services are available in more than 150 countries.
Among CCCC’s notable engineering platforms are the China Roads and Bridge Corporation and the China Harbour Engineering Company.
The project’s total investment amounts to 28.6 billion RMB (approximately US$4 billion), with the cross-river bridge component costing approximately 16 billion RMB ( over US$ 2 billion.
The management emphasizes their commitment to innovation and adaptation of the latest technologies in the realization of their projects, underscoring the robustness of their engineering solutions.
The Changtai Yangtze River Bridge’s significance transcends its immediate geographical and economic impacts. It serves as a vibrant testament to quality infrastructure undertaken through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), to which CCCC has contributed in no small part .
The BRI, initiated by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, has become a fundamental platform for infrastructure development cooperation, significantly benefiting Africa’s economic and social advancement.
As of January 2023, 151 countries had joined the BRI, representing nearly 75% of the global population and over half of the world’s GDP. This initiative is projected to elevate the global GDP by $7.1 trillion annually by 2040, demonstrating its substantial potential for addressing infrastructure gaps and propelling global economic growth.
Over fifty African nations have engaged with the BRI, experiencing benefits such as improved infrastructure, reduced unemployment, and expanded trade opportunities.
Chinese enterprises have been instrumental in implementing significant infrastructure projects across Africa, including railways, roads, bridges, and ports, generating over 4.5 million jobs and revitalizing communities.
CCCC has played a crucial role in these developments, with management expressing confidence in the continued flourishing of cooperation.
According to Zha Chan Gmiao, Executive General Manager of the Brand & Corporate Culture Department at CCCC, their business encompasses roads, airports, railways, and ports, essentially connecting infrastructure.
Notable projects across the continent enhancing connectivity and economic growth include Algeria’s El Hamdania Central Port, the Addis Ababa–Djibouti Railway and Water Pipeline, various projects in Egypt, Kenya’s Mombasa–Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway, and several transformative endeavors in Rwanda.
Leveraging its existing expertise, the company aims to make further contributions to Africa’s development. CCCC management highlights the importance of skills transfer, as seen in the railway project in Mombasa, where Chinese engineers collaborated closely with local workers.
As the Changtai Yangtze River Bridge approaches completion, its story transcends the realms of concrete and steel, embodying the essence of dreams turned into tangible reality.
{{Photos of the Changtai Yangtze River Bridge under construction}}
