About 50 kilometers east of Cairo, Egypt's capital city, the first phase of Egypt's new administrative capital central business district (New Capital CBD), contracted by Chinese enterprises, has begun to take shape. The landmark tower under construction has now become a new landmark in Egypt, and locals see it as the pride of Egypt's economic construction.

Chinese and Egyptian workers are pouring concrete at the project site

Construction site of the central business district project of Egypt's new administrative capital

"Tall buildings are springing up in the once deserted desert."

Early in the morning, as the sun crept slowly over the horizon, the skyline of tall buildings and towers in the desert became clear. Waleed, an Egyptian engineer, climbed the tower, peering out from above and using his mobile phone to capture the spectacular view. "More than 1,000 days after the project started, tall buildings are rising in the once deserted desert. I am honored to be a participant and witness in the great changes Chinese companies are bringing to the construction of our new capital." "Waleed said.

According to the introduction, the logo tower design is a total of 80 floors (about 385.8 meters), the current construction has been to 356 meters, the core tube construction to 74 floors, steel structure construction to 59 floors. The construction of steel structure has set a local construction record of one floor for three days. "The pace of construction is amazing," Waleed laments. Africa's tallest building has been born here! In the future, it will attract the attention of the world and bring new opportunities for Egypt's development."

The new capital CBD project, contracted by China State Construction, plans to build 20 high-rise buildings, including office buildings, hotels and apartments, and supporting municipal facilities on an area of about 505,000 square meters, with a total construction area of about 1.7 million square meters. At present, the construction of most of the high-rise main structure of the project is nearing the end, and the main building of 10 high-rise office buildings has been capped.

In order to construct super high-rise buildings in such a complex environment as desert, the unique geological structure, perennial wind and sand, and high temperature in summer are all great challenges. China and Egypt have made joint efforts to solve difficulties in the construction of the project. "In order to ensure the smooth pouring of the super-large polygonal reinforced concrete floor with a diameter of about 70 meters and a thickness of 5 meters, we developed the hydration heat control system of self-compaction fluid concrete with strong durability under desert climate conditions, and conducted technical research on the concrete ratio, and obtained the optimal ratio data and indicators." Wei Jianxun, the executive general manager of the tower project, said that on the day of pouring, 12 concrete production lines were running at full capacity, 128 mixing trucks were transported continuously, and more than 100 professional engineers were stationed at the station to supervise the operation of the production line. It only took 38 hours to complete the task.

"Chinese enterprises have very advanced technology and rich experience in the field of construction. Many technologies they use, such as template usage, mold climbing technology, testing methods and pile foundation technology, will be very inspiring and driving to the whole Egyptian construction industry." "Said Ahmed Azimi, director of the commercial development department of the project construction.

"Every new employee can get precise training and rapid growth"

Trucks shuttle, cranes spin, machines roar... Construction sites are in full swing. At the peak, more than 6,000 Egyptian and 2,000 Chinese employees worked in shifts every day, boosting the employment and skills of local young people.

"I have had a dream since I was a kid, to be a good civil engineer and build world-class modern buildings. I feel very lucky to join the team of Chinese enterprises in such a large and difficult national project as the new Capital CBD." Project P4 section of the Egyptian boy Amur told the reporter his story.

Amour, 28, graduated in civil engineering from Egypt's Ain Shams University. After working on the project, Amur would not only finish the required work every day, but also exchange experience and technology with his Chinese colleagues after work, and make notes to share with other workers. "In the past few years, I have learned many excellent working methods from my Chinese colleagues and been exposed to many advanced construction technologies, which has greatly enhanced my business ability."

"Every day I learn something new here." Engineer Mahmud said that during the project work, he participated in the construction of super high-rise building for the first time, the first time to learn about manual digging pile technology, the first time to pour a huge thick pile-based raft... "Chinese companies carry out the 'master with apprentice' model in projects, and arrange two experienced Chinese and Egyptian business 'mentors' for new employees to make teaching and training work a normal practice. In this way, every new employee can receive precise training and grow quickly."

Project supervision chairman Yahya believes that the training of local staff is a very meaningful initiative, "it will have a positive impact on the improvement of the level of the entire construction industry in Egypt."

"With more and more cooperation in various fields between Egypt and China, the hearts of the two peoples have become closer."

"Whenever traditional local festivals such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha come, my Chinese colleagues attach great importance to them and hold rich celebrations and prepare holiday gifts for their Egyptian employees. The company also pays special attention to the families of employees in need, and tries every means to improve their lives... It warms my heart." Demiana Tadros, the administrative assistant of the project, told reporters that during traditional Chinese festivals such as the Spring Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival, she also writes couplets and eats moon cakes with her Chinese friends to celebrate the festival together. "The corporate activities are very human and have greatly enhanced our understanding and affection for each other."

"The arrival of Chinese companies gives us full confidence in building our own country well." Hanan, an Egyptian employee who has worked in China Construction for more than 30 years, said, "Under the promotion of the One Belt And One Road initiative, Egypt and China have been cooperating more and more in various fields, and the hearts of the two peoples have become closer."

"This is an architectural miracle created by Egypt and China together." Egyptian Prime Minister Nabil Madebuli said the new capital CBD project is not only a new landmark for Egypt, but also a symbol of Egypt's modernization. Egyptian "Izvestia" pointed out that after the completion of the project, Egypt will really have a world-class high-end central business district.

"Egypt was one of the first countries to respond to the One Belt And One Road initiative. The new capital CBD and other large projects undertaken by Chinese companies in Ethiopia are an important reflection of the mutually beneficial partnership." Jaballah, a professor of economic and financial law at Cairo University, said that through the joint "One Belt And One Road" cooperation, multilateralism and the concept of solidarity and win-win results have once again been promoted.

At night, accompanied by the stars and the moon, the scene of welding flowers flying in the air and Chinese and Egyptian builders working together is unforgettable. (For reprint, please indicate Jiandao website www.seetao.com) Jiandao website video column editor/Linping Gan