Mao Shuai: patroller for the China-Myanmar pipeline

Along the Mandalay section of the China-Myanmar crude oil and gas pipeline, a Myanmar young man is carefully patrolling the surroundings. In the vicinity of the pipeline, fire is not allowed, trees cannot be planted, and fences cannot be built up. Some villagers don't quite understand this, but he has always explained to them with patience.

The young man is Mao Shuai, an employee at the China-Myanmar oil and gas pipeline project. And one of his tasks is to patrol the pipeline. "If there is anything queer or unsafe on the pipeline, we have to rush to the spot to solve the problem regardless of the weather."

Patrolling the pipeline is by no means easy, but Mao Shuai takes pride in his role in this international project. "Construction of the China-Myanmar pipeline provided me with a better life, granting locals more job opportunities." Statistics show over 2.9 million have been employed under the project, and as many as 6,000 locals were hired during the peak season.

The China-Myanmar oil and gas pipeline extends northward from Kyaukpyu City, Myanmar, all the way to Ruili City, Yunnan Province. As a key energy project for southwest China and Myanmar, the major infrastructure benefits people in both countries.

Mao Shuai began to work for the China-Myanmar pipeline in 2010, when his graduation from college as a mechatronics major coincided with the kickoff of the pipeline project in Myanmar. Because of his interest in the oil and gas pipeline technology, he his former job to join in the project.

"Myanmar lacks the technology in oil and gas pipeline that I want to learn about, so I chose to work here." In 2012, Mao Shuai officially got involved in pipeline construction. At first, Mao didn't know much about pipeline operation and he was poor in the Chinese language. "The company granted the Burmese employees opportunities to study Chinese at Yangon University of Foreign Studies, while allowing us to learn about pipeline engineering at Southwest Petroleum University in China."

Having studied in China, Mao Shuai was assigned to the Mandalay substation of the project, continuing to work hard in learning Chinese and pipeline technology. "Mao is eager to learn. Curious about whatever he saw, he would keep asking why even though the question has nothing to do with his duty,” said He Ziyan, head of the Mandalay substation. “He made great progress in Chinese. In a matter of one or two years, he could fluently communicate with Chinese staff."

Working for the China-Myanmar oil and gas pipeline project allowed Mao Shuai to learn skills and win friendship. In his view, the people involved in joint pursuit of the Belt and Road form a loving family, regardless of the nationality.

By Gateway reporters