Xinhua Agency Qian Kai, Peru, July 1Walking Notes in Latin America| "From Qian Kai to Shanghai" China and Peru embark on a new route for common development and prosperity

Xinhua Agency reporter Zhao Kai Zhu Yubo Xi Yue

Qiankai Port, controlled and invested by Chinese companies, is located in Qiankai Bay north of Lima, the capital of Peru. Viewed from the sky, the 2.6-kilometer-long breakwater surrounds the dock facilities like a giant arm to block erosion by Pacific waves.

The Qiankai Port project is a cooperation project jointly built by China and Peru on the "Belt and Road". Upon completion, it will become a new hub port and Pacific gateway port in Latin America, which can significantly shorten the direct flight time from Peru to Asia.

The first phase of the Qiankai Port project was built in 2021 and includes 4 terminal berths. The maximum water depth of the port reaches 17.8 meters and can dock ultra-large container ships of 18000 TEUs. It can achieve a designed throughput capacity of 1 million TEUs per year in the near future and 1.5 million TEUs in the long term. The overall progress of the project has exceeded 80%, and the main structure of the terminal has been completed.

When the reporter recently visited Qiankai Port, he saw that in the terminal operation area, several automated rail cranes shipped from China had been installed, and the English words "COSCO Shipping, Qiankai Wharf" on the beam were very conspicuous. The quayside container crane that has just arrived at the port stands quietly on the transport ship.

He Bo, executive deputy general manager of COSCO Shipping Port Qiankai Company in Peru, witnessed the vicissitudes of life in the port area in the past three years. "The hills have become flat, the beach has become a storage yard, breakwaters and docks stand on the water, the port machinery has come ashore, and production and office buildings have risen from the ground. The project is about to be completed. We are very pleased."

In the past three years,"From Qian Kai to Shanghai" has become a buzzword in Peru. He Bo told reporters that the Spanish pronunciation of these two important port cities is very similar. Locals were confused at first, but now they are particularly familiar with it.

When the port is completed, this buzzword will become a reality. With the opening of this new land-sea corridor between China and Latin America, the shipping time between Peru and China will be shortened by about 10 days. Qiankai Port is positioned as the gateway port and regional hub port of Peru. It is connected to the Pan-American Highway through a tunnel and directly reaches the capital Lima, allowing goods to easily reach Peru and Latin American countries, greatly enhancing trade convenience.

According to David Gamero, deputy manager of the Qiankai Port Project Engineering Department, this port will create new opportunities for the development and prosperity of Peru and surrounding areas. "Qiankai Port will help Peru improve shipping efficiency and deepen international trade cooperation with the Asian region. In addition to direct economic benefits, the giant port will also serve as a regional hub, drive the development of the overall logistics value chain in South America, promote the development of science and technology and industrialization, and produce a multiplier effect." said Gamero.

Thanks to China's advanced technology and the environmental awareness of Chinese companies, Qiankai Port has been built into a green and low-carbon modern smart port. Terminal staff demonstrated to reporters the electric container truck with autonomous driving technology. The vehicle drove quietly and lightly and had precise routes. After the trial operation of the port area, these unmanned vehicles will realize fully automatic operation to improve the efficiency of container operations.

There is a wetland not far from the entrance to the project site. In the evening, the birds in the wetland rise and fall, full of vitality.

He Bo said that the Chinese companies building the port pay attention to controlling noise, light and dust during construction to minimize the impact on the "residents" of these wetlands, and actively participate in the rescue of seals, penguins, pelicans and other animals to help improve the environment around the project. Environmental status of biological habitats.

The Qiankai Port project is also a platform for knowledge and technology exchange and cooperation, and local employees and the project grow together. At the beginning of the Qiankai Port project, Daniel Halles, a young Peruvian man, was an intern who had just entered the workforce. Now, at the age of 27, he has grown into a contract administrator in the project engineering department.

Halles said: "In the past few years when I participated in port construction, I have not only learned professional skills in communication and negotiation and project management, but also learned about logistics, engineering technology and other aspects. I feel that I am constantly growing and becoming more professional."

As the construction of Qiankai Port continues to advance, project jobs have become popular locally. Sun Yan, Chinese dean of the Confucius Institute at Ricardo Palma University, told reporters that many Peruvian students at this Confucius Institute are looking forward to being able to apply for positions such as translators, technicians, and operators in Qiankai Port with their language advantages. Ledi Tapia, 23, said: "Mastering Chinese is a stepping stone to finding a good job... My classmates and I are paying attention to the recruitment positions for the Qiankai Port project."

According to the plan, Qiankai Port will be ready for trial operation in October this year. Halles said that in the past few years since he participated in port construction, his friendship with the Chinese team has continued to deepen, and he is looking forward to an in-depth understanding of China. "When the port is completed, I must go to China as soon as possible."