China Railway employee honored for work in Pakistan

As this year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, Cao Mengjie, an employee of a centrally administered State-owned enterprise, was named an "outstanding contributor" by the company's Pakistani and domestic partners.

Cao and 11 colleagues from the operational branch of Beijing-headquartered China Railway Electrification Bureau (Group) Co Ltd, were selected by the company in September 2020 to work as operational technology supervisors for the Pakistan's Orange Line, the country's first-ever metro train service, according to a statement released by the company on Wednesday.

In Pakistan, his role was to complete basic tasks, such as line measurement, maintenance and training plans, in the shortest time and conduct training for local staff to ensure safe railroad operation.

He was honored by the project's operator and contractors, including Pakistan's DW Co, China North Industries Corp Ltd and Guangzhou Metro Group.

The line started its commercial operation in October 2020 in Lahore, the country's second-largest city.

The Orange Line adopted Chinese standards, technology and equipment. It is the first time that the whole chain of China's metro train industry, including designing, manufacturing, construction, operation and maintenance, was exported to a country.

As the first high-end and environmental-friendly mass transit line in Pakistan, the Orange Line will not only bring great convenience to the day-to-day transportation of local people in Lahore, but also carry far-reaching significance to the social and economic development of Punjab province, said Zhou Lisha, a researcher with the research institute of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council.

China Railway Electrification Bureau (Group) Co Ltd, is one of the key members of China Railway Group Ltd, the Beijing-based, centrally administrated State-owned construction contractor.