Chinese construction worker values craftsmanship in bridge building in Montenegro

The China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) completed the construction of the 42-kilometer Smokovac-Matesevo section of the Montenegrin Bar-Boljare Highway in July 2022.

The completion ceremony reminded me of Zhu Jinsuo, the boss of a Chinese steel-structure manufacturing company, who also made tremendous contributions to the China-built major infrastructural project in Montenegro.

Zhu Jinsuo works at the construction site

We got to know each other about ten years ago when he took part in the building of the Jiashao Bridge, which connects Jiaxing and Shaoxing in east China's Zhejiang province.

At that time, Zhu was responsible for the construction of three coffer dams for the cross-sea bridge in Zhejiang. Meanwhile, I was a project manager and was expected to supervise the quality and progress of his work.

Zhu earned my admiration through his outstanding performance and we gradually became close friends.

The next time that we met each other was at the end of 2017 when I was on a business tour in Montenegro.

During an inspection tour to the construction site, a colleague told me that the most challenging task in the building of the Moracica Bridge, part of the Montenegrin Bar-Boljare Highway, was basket-hanging construction.

The arduous work left a deep impression on teachers and students from the University of Montenegro when they came to the construction site.

Zhu Jinsuo works at the construction site

I rushed to the construction machine of Zhu when a colleague told me that he was there to undertake the difficult task.

Zhu said to me that it was unbelievable for us to meet again in a foreign country. He added that all the 12 sets of basket-hanging equipment, which he himself had built, would be delivered at the end of 2017 and that he should work with his teammates to ensure the full success of the landmark project.

Although Zhu had taken part in the building of the Zemun-Borca Bridge in Serbia, my colleague asked me whether he could accomplish this challenging task.

Zhu said that during the construction process, he had to overcome multiple challenges, ranging from the purchase of construction materials to the assembling and dismantling of construction machines and the adherence to the European construction standards.

Over the decades, Zhu has done his utmost to constantly improve his construction expertise and skills.

His inspiring story fully embodies the Chinese spirit of craftsmanship and has promoted the popularity of China's national image abroad.

The author is Wang Li, a member of staff at the China Communications Construction Company.