Pan Song is the deputy manager for the terminal project, part of the ongoing expansion of Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare, Zimbabwe, undertaken by China Jiangsu International (CJI).

Working in the African country for ten years, he has assumed positions of assistant, engineer and project manager, making contribution to the friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

The first project that Pan engaged in was the dormitory and canteen at University of Lupane. As the site was located in a desert area with high temperatures, the harsh conditions turned his skin dark but he was proud to build the dormitory and canteen that could accommodate thousands of students.

Pan said the expansion project of the Victoria Falls International Airport has left him the deepest impression. Located on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, the Victoria Falls is one of the top ten natural wonders of the world. Before expansion, tourism in the area was lukewarm due to the poor facilities at the airport, which was unable to handle large aircraft. The renovated airport is expected to increase the annual passenger capacity from 700,000 to 1.5 million, which will greatly boost the country’s economic growth and social development.

In addition to ensure the project’s progress, Pan and his colleagues at CJI were also committed to helping local communities and improving infrastructure. CJI donated 500 sets of desks and chairs to a primary school near the airport to improve the learning environment, and renovated the village road and pipe network. Local villagers named a road as Jiangsu Rd in honor of the Chinese construction team.

Pan said he will continue to work in Zimbabwe and promote progress of projects in the Belt and Road Initiative.

“I will try to make my humble contribution to the friendship between China and Zimbabwe," said Pan.

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