Crossing carries hopes of Croatia

Full of vitality

Kolega described the multinational team, mostly Chinese and Croatians, as full of vitality and hospitality. "It enables me to learn so much from my Chinese and Croatian colleagues," she said.

While working on the bridge project, Kolega, along with six other colleagues, received her engineering accreditation from the Croatian professional civil engineering association, which Kolega called "a highly respected title in Croatia".

Liu Jiaxi, a Chinese field engineer, has worked on the project for the past four years. He described the experience as a process of striving for perfection under multiple challenges.

"The project meets the standards of China, Croatia and the EU. Such an achievement should be attributed to everyone's dedication and their pursuit for excellence in details," he said.

"It also helps me better understand the word 'craftsmanship'," said Liu, who had participated in the construction of the 55-km Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge before he joined the Croatia project.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, accompanied by his Croatian counterpart Andrej Plenkovic, visited the Peljesac Bridge construction site on April 11, 2019.

They both called the project a good example of what can be accomplished with stronger ties between the two countries.

Li said that the bridge, when completed, will be beneficial to regional peace and development as well as to the livelihoods of people living around it.

"I hope Croatian people will enjoy the convenience the bridge will bring as soon as possible," he said.

Plenkovic told a press conference during Li's visit that Croatia had wanted to build such a bridge for two decades, and Chinese companies and their local partners have demonstrated excellent standards.

"We adhere to the principle of fairness and transparency in the bidding process and the project will promote Croatia's cooperation with China in diverse fields, such as trade and tourism," he said.

The opening of the Peljesac Bridge comes nine years after Croatia joined the EU on July 1, 2013, and five months before the country is expected to switch currencies from the kuna to the euro on Jan 1.

Plenkovic said recently that his country wants to enter the EU's borderless Schengen Area in January.

Czech Republic Prime Minister Petr Fiala said on July 7 that his country, which has assumed the presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of the year, will strive to ensure that the EU grants Croatia entry into the passport-free area.

"This might be possible," he told the Czech News Agency, as quoted by the Euractiv website.

Kolega, reflecting on her time at the construction site as a field engineer, said she has enjoyed all the moments with colleagues, whether during work, partying or on other occasions.

She also loves the Chinese sweet rice congee served by the Chinese chefs there but admits that some Chinese dishes are just too spicy for her.

For Damtare, spicy chicken and egg custard are his favorite foods served at the construction site.

"I love all the Chinese food here," he said.