100 Chinese welders work on Indonesia's BRI project

One-hundred welders from Xiangyang, Hubei province, have started work at a key project in Indonesia after arriving in the country in late February.

They will work there for three years, employed for the construction of a nickel-related project under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Before going to Indonesia, the welders received professional training for four months, after which they learned high-skill techniques.

"I feel very proud to be involved in a project related to the Belt and Road Initiative, which was proposed by our country," said Luo Qinghai, one of the welders.

He once was a farmer with his annual income about 30,000 yuan ($4,323). After technical training, Luo has become a skilled welder who is expected to earn about 250,000 yuan per year in Indonesia.

"We will do the work well and show our Chinese people's exquisite skills," said Yuan Bing, 39, the leader of the welding team.

Xiangyang has nurtured more than 2,000 welders for special equipment and has formed a complete supply chain for blue-collar talent, such as Luo and Yuan, the local government said.