Visits China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation

Empowering Infrastructure through Technology: The ANSO Alliance of International Innovative Enterprises for the Belt and Road Regions (ANIE) Visits China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC)

On June 24, 2025, Ms. Cui Yiting, Vice Chair and Secretary-General of the ANSO Alliance of International Innovative Enterprises for the Belt and Road Regions  (hereinafter referred to as“ANIE”), along with the Secretariat delegation, visited China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC). Attending the meeting were Mr. Zheng Jun, President of the CCECC Research Institute; Mr. Wang Kai, General Manager of the Department of Science and Technology Information at CCECC; Mr. Liu Mengfu, Deputy General Manager of the same department; Mr. Liao Jianbin, Vice President of the CCECC Research Institute; Mr. Pan Dawei, Senior Expert; and Mr. Zheng Jiawei, Researcher at the Institute. The two sides held in-depth discussions at CCECC headquarters on exploring new paths for the integration of technology and infrastructure development.

Mr. Zheng Jun, President of the CCECC Research Institute, delivered a welcome address, introducing CCECC as an important international platform under China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) that has been deeply engaged in overseas markets since its establishment. He pointed out that under the current global economic cycle, traditional industries are in urgent need of transformation and upgrading, and future industrial development must be led by science and technology. CRCC promotes technological innovation and international development through its“1+9+N”research system. 

CCECC is actively responding to the strategic call of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) and CRCC to become a “technology-driven central enterprise,”by advancing a new layout of “overseas research institutes + domestic technological collaboration.”This strategy aims to strengthen localized R&D capabilities and increase participation in the formulation of international standards. CCECC is currently promoting emerging industries such as green and low-carbon development, intelligent construction, solid waste treatment, digital cities, and new materials (such as bamboo-based composites). President Zheng emphasized that the integration of science and infrastructure is a key pathway for the transformation and upgrading of construction enterprises, and that both sides share a high degree of alignment in vision, mission, and responsibility.

Lighting up the“happy road”of the Belt and Road Initiative with the power of technology, and advancing global co-building of smart cities. Vice Chair and Secretary-General Cui Yiting expressed her gratitude and remarked,“The Belt and Road Initiative is not only about‘hard connectivity’through infrastructure—it is also a‘happy road’that blends technology with humanity”. 

Ms. Cui introduced that the Alliance focuses on “smart city technological governance”as a key entry point, integrating areas such as infrastructure development, urban renewal, industrial upgrading, cultural tourism, life and health, and green energy. Using cities as fundamental units and fostering industrial interaction, the Alliance comprehensively promotes the global reach of Chinese enterprises and technological achievements, supporting BRI countries in jointly creating sustainable development and a better quality of life.

Ms. Cui noted that in July, the Alliance will launch a series of initiatives for the "Smart City Technology Governance Strategy Consulting Report", during which research teams will visit key cities and leading enterprises to conduct dialogues and exchanges, systematically collecting model cases and exemplary smart governance projects to form replicable and scalable global cooperation pathways.

Ms. Cui also emphasized that CCECC’s extensive experience in overseas construction and localized research serves as a benchmark for other enterprises. The Alliance’s promotion of joint laboratories and overseas research institutes aligns seamlessly with today’s exchange with CCECC. By focusing on technological leadership, intelligent architecture, green infrastructure, and digital technology applications, both sides aim to co-develop innovative solutions and create exemplary smart city projects that will lead the way in technological innovation for high-quality Belt and Road development. In conclusion, Ms. Cui stated: “Technology is a bridge to the future. We look forward to working with CCECC and more enterprises with an open and collaborative spirit to jointly shape a new technological vision for the high-quality development of the Belt and Road.”

Mr. Wang Kai, General Manager of the Department of Science and Technology Information at CCECC, shared CCECC’s global practices as a key participant in the BRI. He noted that the company has extensive operations in Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, where it not only exports capacity but also emphasizes technology transfer and cultural exchange, adhering to the philosophy of “teaching a man to fish.” Recently, CCECC signed a contract for the Salvador Bridge Project in Brazil—the largest cross-sea bridge in the Americas—demonstrating its strength in talent development, technology export, and international cooperation. Wang expressed hope that, through ANIE platform, further progress can be made in promoting technological exchange and industrial synergy to help BRI countries achieve sustainable development.

Mr. Liu Mengfu, Deputy General Manager of the same department, gave a detailed account of CCECC’s progress in building overseas R&D platforms. He noted that CCECC has offices in 114 countries and regions around the world and has established 12 overseas technology centers in countries such as Hungary, Kyrgyzstan, and Brazil. In addition, CCECC is actively participating in the Ministry of Science and Technology’s BRI Joint Laboratory initiative, including a transport-focused lab jointly proposed with Southwest Jiaotong University and Aristotle University of Hungary (based on the Hungary-Serbia Railway), as well as a lab in collaboration with the Federal University of Bahia in Brazil (based on the Salvador Bridge Project). Liu emphasized that through localized research and other efforts, CCECC is committed to upgrading traditional industries and fostering the development of strategic emerging sectors, and looks forward to aligning with ANIE to access more scientific resources and deepen cooperation in regions such as Africa and Central Asia.

Prior to the meeting, the delegation visited the “CCECC Vision” exhibition hall, where they gained a comprehensive understanding of CCECC’s remarkable achievements in global infrastructure development since its founding in 1979. From assisting in the construction of the Tanzania–Zambia Railway to the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s railways and the Ankara-Istanbul high-speed railway in Turkey, CCECC has demonstrated outstanding technical capabilities and an international perspective, becoming a key practitioner of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The exhibition vividly showcases CCECC’s global presence in railways, highways, bridges, and ports, as well as its contributions to local development and cultural exchange.

This exchange deepened the mutual understanding between the ANSO Alliance of International Innovative Enterprises for the Belt and Road Regions and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), and laid a solid foundation for future cooperation. The integration of infrastructure development and technological governance is a vital direction for promoting the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative. Looking ahead, both sides will engage in in-depth discussions and joint efforts in areas such as smart city solutions, green infrastructure technologies, joint laboratory development, and international talent cultivation. With technology as the bridge and cooperation as the vessel, they will work hand in hand to explore new paths for technology-empowered urban development and contribute to the joint construction of a shared future for humanity.