"Local shops in Middle Eastern countries are full of products made in China, and many people are eager to learn Chinese. In Saudi Arabia, parents often encourage their children to greet Chinese visitors in Chinese — I've experienced this several times," he recalled.
"In their eyes, Chinese people 'only do business and do not fight'. There are no ideological conflicts. Our interactions are always peaceful and sincere," he added.
The same goes for Yang Xin. "The BRI is more than construction projects and contracts — the genuine connections between people we build along the way are just as important," she said.
She remembers a school principal in Angola, passionate about Chinese history, who once gifted her a book he had written on Chinese cultural studies. On another occasion, when no company drivers were available for an urgent trip, a local client offered her a ride on his motorcycle.
"Being stationed abroad isn't a one-way export; it's about mutual understanding. We brought steel and concrete, and in return, we gained friendship," she said.
