As an eyewitness to the changes brought by the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) project to Pakistan in terms of technology, economy and connectivity, Muhammad Idrees from Pakistan, who pursues a Ph.D. degree at Shenzhen University, can attest to its transformative impact.

Muhammad Idrees from Pakistan attends a summer camp in August hosted by Shenzhen Foundation for International Exchange and Cooperation. Courtesy of the interviewee

BRI experience

"In Pakistan, CPEC or the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, under the BRI was widely known," Idrees told Shenzhen Daily.

Ten years ago, the Chinese and Pakistani governments signed an MOU for the BRI.

"Actually, the MOU was signed around the same time I graduated from university in 2013. So, we had a lot of discussions and gained more information from our teachers, who told us this program is great for further cooperation between the two countries," he recalled.

"The project covered many aspects in my country," he added. "For example, it helped ease our electricity shortage and build better roads and railways. The most important thing is that in the last 10 years, this project has provided 236,000 new jobs in my country. It is a big source of employment for people."

A train on the Orange Line, Pakistan's first metro line, enters a station in Lahore, Pakistan, on Oct. 26, 2020. Officially opened to traffic Oct. 25, 2020, the eco-friendly line is an early project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of the BRI. Xinhua

Idrees said he is somewhat personally involved in the BRI. After obtaining his master's degree, he worked at a company producing defense equipment in his country.

"Our security forces needed the equipment to provide security at Chinese construction sites, as well as for Chinese delegations, so I was indirectly involved," he said.

He also attended a seminar about technological exchanges between the two countries in 2015 in Islamabad. "Everyone was talking about the project [BRI], hoping it to bring more benefits to both countries in the long term."

"My company was in a mountainous area, and it took five days for one of my colleagues to return to his hometown. In 2015, the roads were widened. The travel time has been shorted from five to two days."

"There used be a lot of traffic jams, and sometimes landslides there, but now many beautiful tunnels have been built inside the mountains. So, I think it is a very good initiative for many people."

Inspired to come to China

Idrees has been following Shenzhen Daily since 2017, saying it is an important source to keep him updated about China and Shenzhen.

"My cousin got her Ph.D. at the Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, seven years ago, and she told me many things about Shenzhen. My university teachers also got their Ph.D. degrees in China, motivating us by saying China is very advanced, with great research facilities and labs. They all say that if we want to get a Ph.D., we need to go to China," Idrees told Shenzhen Daily in an interview Friday.

Idrees, known to his friends as Addi, left his hometown when he was 9 years old to live with his uncle for better educational opportunities in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan.

Idrees received his bachelor's and master's degrees in Pakistan in 2013 and 2015, respectively.

"My uncle told me to improve my skills and gain more knowledge in my field," he said.

He then applied to Shenzhen University to pursue his Ph.D.

Idrees came to Shenzhen in January this year as a Ph.D. student at Shenzhen University.

"The first day I arrived in China, in Guangzhou, I saw the difference between China and my country," he said. "It's almost a gap of 30 to 50 years in infrastructure and in research and development."

He works very hard at the university, and is always the first to arrive at the lab at 7 a.m.

"One of the professors is so impressed that one time he gave me a bag of fruits, saying it's a reward for being so early," he recalled.

Idrees takes great interest in exploring Shenzhen in the hope of learning more about the city and Chinese culture. He got a lot of information about interesting places from Shenzhen Daily, and tries to explore the places whenever he has a chance. He has also joined many WeChat groups and took part in events organized by international blocks.

During an event promoting Hanfu and tea culture at Guanlan International Block in Longhua District last month, Idrees was the first one to step on stage. He was also selected to be among the eight winners in another event for seal carving culture at Minzhi International Block in August.

"I like taking the opportunity to immerse myself in Chinese culture," he said.

For all the events Idrees has participated in, the most unforgettable one was a summer camp in August hosted by Shenzhen Foundation for International Exchange and Cooperation.

Sixteen international students from different countries and four Chinese students spent 10 days together, exploring many places in the city, including cultural sites and big names like Tencent, BYD and Meituan.

Idrees majors in information and communications. He plans to find a research position at Shenzhen University or in other universities in China after graduation.

"I'm trying to learn Chinese, and if it improves, I would like to work for Huawei. I visited the company and was impressed with their projects," he said.