Egypt, China join hands to build up Egypt's new capital

Some 50 km east of the capital Cairo, the construction of the Central Business District (CBD) undertaken by China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) in Egypt's new administrative capital is carrying on under the scorching sun.

Field technicians of China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) and their Egyptian colleagues work at the construction site of the "Iconic Tower" in Egypt's New Administrative Capital, about 50 kilometers east of Cairo, on July 3, 2018. [Photo/Xinhua]

The new capital is supposed to be one of the solutions to the chronic congestion of Cairo with a demographic burden of more than 20 million inhabitants.

The project is intended to offer thousands of jobs and stimulate the sluggish economy, while Egypt's government institutions are scheduled to move to the new capital within the second half of 2019.

At the moment, dozens of Chinese and Egyptians are surveying the geological conditions of the construction ground, preparing statistics for architects to design the 20 residential, administrative, commercial and services towers scattered on the 1.7-million-square-meter ground.

Among them, a 385-meter skyscraper attracts the most attention, as Egyptian presidential spokesman Bassam Rady recently told a radio station that it will be the tallest building in Africa once completed.

Constructors work at the construction site of the "Iconic Tower" in Egypt's New Administrative Capital, about 50 kilometers east of Cairo, on July 3, 2018. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chang Weicai, chief executive officer of the CSCEC Egypt company, told Xinhua onsite that the construction is expected to be finished within 3.5 years "at maximum."

He revealed that the construction work will start in several months after geological survey, adding that over 90 percent of workers will be hired locally as required by local regulation.

As China's largest construction and real estate conglomerate and biggest building work contractor, CSCEC is taking the long lead in China's international contracting business.

Known worldwide for undertaking super high-rise, grand-scale, cutting-edge and novel projects, the Chinese construction company has built up a great number of landmark projects in China and around the world.

"Over 50 percent of high-rises around the globe and over 90 percent of those in China were built by us," Chang said.

"Egyptian companies like Orascom and Arab Contractors may be more efficient than us in low-rise and mid-rise, but high-rise is our speciality," he added.

Field technicians of China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) and their Egyptian colleagues work at the construction site of the "Iconic Tower" in Egypt's New Administrative Capital, about 50 kilometers east of Cairo, on July 3, 2018. [Photo/Xinhua]

Ayman Girgis, a 38-year-old field construction engineer, described the site of the CBD as a "beehive" striving to finish the work on time.

"The Chinese workers are working 24 hours in turn along with their Egyptian colleagues," Girgis told Xinhua.

They all "feel proud to be part of the national project and seek to implement it in the best shape," the Egyptian engineer said, giving a cheerful enthusiastic smile.

Still working on the ground tests, Girgis said "the construction of the tallest tower will be carried out" in a matter of four to six months.

It's a race against time, the Egyptian engineer said, expecting the tallest tower to be completed in no more than two years.

"Their spirit here is more about feeling proud to share with the Egyptian people in accomplishing their national dream," Girgis said.

The Chinese contribution in a large national project in Egypt has reflected the Asian power's commitment toward Egypt and signalled the historical ties between the two countries, said Diaa Helmy, secretary general of the Cairo-based Egyptian-Chinese Commerce Chamber.

"The CBD is one of these projects that China constructs in Egypt not just to gain economic benefits, but to indicate its support for the North African country," Helmy told Xinhua.

"China seriously aids Egypt and we also have the same sincere feelings toward our friends, which were manifested in supporting the Belt and Road Initiative that will bring fruits to the entire region," Helmy said.

Constructors work at the construction site of the "Iconic Tower" in Egypt's New Administrative Capital, about 50 kilometers east of Cairo, on July 3, 2018. [Photo/Xinhua]

The initiative, proposed by China in 2013, aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa on and beyond the ancient Silk Road trade routes.

Helmy believed the new capital has good potentials for other leading Chinese companies in building bridges and tunnels that will be part of the new capital.

He also expected fruitful mutual cooperation in the field of smart city, digital technology and renewable energy needed in the new capital.

The constant cooperation between the two countries in the national projects in Egypt, as well as the investment along the Belt and Road, will pave the road for a bright future, Helmy said.