Constructing tunnels is one of CR18G's expertise.

Large Tianjin-based Chinese construction companies have expressed enthusiasm to seize abundant opportunities that Belt and Road Initiative is offering to broaden their international market.

Since interconnectivity of infrastructure is the priority of the Belt and Road, Wang Xingzhou, board chairman of China Railway 18 Bureau Group Co., Ltd, (CR18G), said opportunities now for construction works are “boundless.”

“Our group will take the opportunity of the Belt and Road and make great efforts to the new markets along the maritime Silk Roads,” Wang recently told the visiting Chinese and Asian journalists in Tianjin City.

CR18G building visited by mainstream media from China and other Asian countries.

Wang said CR18G, a subsidiary of China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC), will adhere to the Belt and Road’s development strategy of expanding international market.

“We will leverage our advantage in enterprise technologies and construction and management and fulfill our responsibility and build brand of Chinese enterprise,” he added.

Founded in 1958, the CR18G is engaged in the construction of railways, water conservancy and hydropower, highways, bridges, tunnels pavement, airport runways and buildings.

CR18G, Wang said, has 20,000 manpower and construction capacity of over RMB60 billion (USD8.8 billion) with 180 projects undertaken in 17 countries to the tune of RMB40 billion (USD5.8 billion).

He said the group has 23 ongoing projects along the Belt and Road countries such as in United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman.

STECOL Corporation, an enterprise under Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina), intends to use Belt and Road to further expand business abroad.

Yang Tao, vice president of STELCOL Corporation, gives interview with journalists.

”Faced with opportunities and challenges brought by Belt and Road, we should endeavor to improve our business structure, focus on upgrading of business mode and control of overseas risks,” Yang Tao, vice president of STELCOL Corporation, said.

Yang said STELCOL has undertaken nearly 350 projects in 33 countries and regions in the field of electric power, water supply and drainage, roads and bridges, railways, airports and seaports.

“We have a unique and more profound understanding to the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as a wealth of experience for its implementation,” he said.

On the other hand, Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area (TEDA) has been getting attention from Belt and Road countries due to its successful China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone project.

James Zhang, chief executive officer of China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic Zone, said China-Africa has been promoting ‘TEDA Mode’ which adapts to the development of overseas industrial parks.

“TEDA Mode is attracting more and more Belt and Road countries’ attention,” Zhang said.

Zhang said Saudi Arabia in particular has sent delegation to China and has lauded TEDA’s planning and construction, investment and operations of the industrial parks.

Wang Xingzhou, board chairman of China Railway 18 Bureau Group Co., Ltd, (CR18G), updates the media on company's operations here and abroad.

TEDA, which posted RMB73.8 billion (USD10.69 billion) income in 2016, was established in 1984 with business scope that includes regional development and real estate, public utilities and modern service industry.

Like CRCC and PowerChina, TEDA is also among the “Top 500 Chinese Enterprises.”

Belt and Road Initiative was proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013 aimed at linking Asia with Europe and Africa and to put forward areas of cooperation particularly in trade, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

CR18G, STECOL and TEDA are just among thousands enterprises located inside China (Tianjin) Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ).

The 119.9-square kilometer Tianjin FTZ was officially opened in 2015 to serve as a high-level open platform for the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

The zone has a 30-square-kilometer Dongjiang Port Area which has been serving as main maritime gateway to Beijing with ports for cargo container ships and cruise ships as well as man-made beach.

FTZ also covers Tianjin Airport Economic Area and Binhai New Area Central Business District (CBD) and is connected to China-Europe railway freight, one of major routes of Belt and Road’s Silk Road Economic Belt.

(Jelly Musico is a reporter of Philippine News Agency and currently intern of People’s Daily Online)