2017年CRI Foreign business persons on how 'Belt and Road' changes their lives

 

China-Yiwu International Trade Mart, east China’s Zhejiang province [File photo: yw.gov.cn]

A growing number of foreign business owners in the city of Yiwu in Zhejiang are pointing to the Chinese government's "Belt and Road" initiative as a major factor behind a massive spike¹ in trade volumes of some 50-percent through this past year.

Yiwu is home to two million people, with an estimated one-in-four hailing from other countries.

Yiwu is best known for its International Trade Mart, a world famous wholesale² market for small commodities.

So-called Exotic Street is just a few kilometers away from the wholesale market.

Many restaurants and stores on Exotic Street are foreign-operated.

Yiwu Exotic Street, east China’s Zhejiang province [File photo: yw.gov.cn]

"I'm from Egypt. My wife is Chinese. (She's) from Dongbei," said an Egyptian businessmen as he received interview.

Somali businessman Abdul says his business has become much easier since the "Belt and Road" initiative first became active.

"Before, when we sent the goods from Yiwu to England, it takes too long. But now this only takes about 16 to 18 days. So that means, you know, it's very helpful," said Abdul.

Jordanian businessman Mohanned has been running a restaurant on Exotic Street for 15 years.

His restaurant claims itself as the first Arab restaurant in Yiwu.

"We now have many goods shipped to other countries by railway. Some foreign people even made direct purchase from us here or ship their goods to us," said the Jordanian businessman.

China Railway Express [File photo: Xinhua]

In November 2014, China Railway Express that departed from Yiwu began reaching as far as Spain's capital, Madrid.

The ease of transport is also helping³ overseas Chinese nationals.

Xu Dongyong, who's been doing business in Spain, is now considering taking his business back to China.

"When the train arrived in Europe, the news went viral among our oversea Chinese nationals," said Xu.

As night falls, Exotic Street is seeing the start of its busy time.

Many business owners migrate to Exotic Street after a hard day's work to unwind.

"It (Gwadar Port) will definitely boost China's economy, definitely will support Pakistan economy. Pakistan will get a position like Singapore."

"Nepal is impressed by Chinese infrastructure⁴. Nepal is expecting from China that China will come to Nepal and make infrastructure in Nepal."

"And Brazil is very proud of it, because China is growing a lot and we can be partners now. It's very important to our country as well, because China is growing so much and it's taking the world together."

Hammi from Iran has been doing business in China for 14-years, mainly exporting small commodities to the Middle East and Europe.

He's among those who say trade between China and Iran had been expanding in recent years thanks to the "Belt and Road" program.

"As a foreigner in China my feeling can be summarized in a phrase, win-win. In this scenario⁵, both sides can win and promote common development," added Hammi.

1 spike   

n.长钉，钉鞋；v.以大钉钉牢，使...失效

参考例句：

• The spike pierced the receipts and held them in order.那个钉子穿过那些收据并使之按顺序排列。
• They'll do anything to spike the guns of the opposition.他们会使出各种手段来挫败对手。

2 wholesale   

n.批发；adv.以批发方式；vt.批发，成批出售

参考例句：

• The retail dealer buys at wholesale and sells at retail.零售商批发购进货物，以零售价卖出。
• Such shoes usually wholesale for much less.这种鞋批发出售通常要便宜得多。

3 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

4 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

5 scenario   

n.剧本，脚本；概要

参考例句：

• But the birth scenario is not completely accurate.然而分娩脚本并非完全准确的。
• This is a totally different scenario.这是完全不同的剧本。