丝路人：以青岛港为家 | 18-year devotion to Qingdao Port

丝路人

“国之交在于民相亲，民相亲在于心相通。”

“一带一路”不仅是经济、贸易之路，也是文明、友谊之路。

在过去几年中，“一带一路”沿线国家的民众们也积极参与到建设当中来，共建"民心相通桥"， 共享发展成果。

在本期《丝路人》系列视频中，在青岛港前湾集装箱码头工作了十八年的张军讲述了他的“一带一路”故事。

Closer cooperation on infrastructure, the economy and technology between China and partner nations has thrived since the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2013. 

Thanks to these deepening ties, more Chinese companies have expanded their operations overseas.

CGTN is sharing personal stories of three employees who work in Chinese companies that benefit from the BRI.

In the fifth episode of "The Faces," Zhang Jun shares his working experience in witnessing the tremendous changes at the Port of Qingdao over the past few years.

Qingdao Port: The barometer of trade

青岛港始建于1892年，是世界第八大港，位于中国沿海的环渤海湾港口群、长江三角洲港口群和日韩港口群的中心地带，为常年不淤不冻的深水良港。

The Port of Qingdao in Shandong Province, as the world's eighth busiest port by shipping volume, is more than 100 years old and has connections with over 700 ports in 180 countries and regions. 

Zhang Jun at Qianwan Container Terminal. /CGTN Photo

张军是青岛港集团下属的青岛前湾集装箱码头有限责任公司总经理助理，主要负责集装箱生产相关的业务。前湾港区拥有可停靠当前世界最大2.1万TEU集装箱船舶的集装箱码头。

张军一毕业就进入青岛港前湾集装箱码头工作，是个非常勤恳敬业的人。做了两年的塔吊维修工作后，他毛遂自荐进入了业务生产部门，开始学习集装箱业务的生产规划，船舶调度等。这一干就是十八年，期间也见证了青岛港前湾码头的变化。

对他来说，在港口的工作成长了很多学习了很多，青岛港就是家一般的存在。

Zhang Jun joined Qingdao Qianwan Container Terminal Co., Ltd, an affiliate of Qingdao Port Group, straight after completing college in 2001. Currently, he's the assistant to the general manager and is responsible for the company's container terminal operations.

Zhang has witnessed to the tremendous changes of the terminal in the last 18 years.

Tower cranes at Qianwan Container Terminal. /CGTN Photo

When he first started, there were only two berths. But now, the number has reached 11. As the size of vessels increases, the height of tower cranes has also surged. 

"I have witnessed the tower cranes increase from 38 meters to 40 meters, then 45 meters. The new tower cranes we purchased have reached a height of 52 meters." 

Zhang said the Port of Qingdao has benefited a lot from the BRI since it was proposed in 2013. "It's led to growth in our throughput and an increase in the volume of loading and unloading containers. The most direct impact is that it's increased the port's revenue."

Zhang Jun at work. /CGTN Photo

One of the most obvious changes is that the size of vessels has increased from 300 to 399 meters in the past few years. Now it is common to see large vessels of 399 meters at the terminal. 

The port opened 15 new foreign trade routes in 2018, 10 of which are for the Belt and Road countries.

"The port is the barometer of trade. I think this is an ideal description of the Port of Qingdao," Zhang said.

18-year devotion 

Zhang's life is closely connected to the Port of Qingdao. From maintaining tower cranes to the management of container operations, he has been working here for 18 years.

A night view of the terminal. /CGTN Photo

It is not an easy job as the port operates 24 hours a day. "But when we finish the loading and unloading operations of a ship safely and efficiently, and gained the recognition of our clients and the shipping company, there's a sense of fulfillment."

The Port of Qingdao offers opportunities for Zhang to grow in his career and he's deeply attached to his workplace emotionally. "I really like this job. This is also a career that I will never give up."

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