1001 Days of Pumping Concrete in Africa: A Modern Story

Since the "Belt and Road" initiative was proposed in 2013, more and more young people have participated in the construction of Southern countries along the Belt and Road. However, many people's understanding of Southern countries is still very limited. In terms of academic research, many national histories of Southern countries are superficial, and they lack a vivid, firsthand, and tangible understanding of the current actual development of these countries.

After graduating with a Ph.D. from Tsinghua University, Cao Fengze resolutely dedicated himself to infrastructure construction in Africa. In three years, he worked on a dozen large and small projects in no fewer than ten African countries, gaining rich firsthand experience of local customs, socio-economic conditions, and the current state of development in Africa.

In this book, from the perspective of a Chinese engineer, he recounts his personal, grassroots stories, emotional experiences, and observations during his struggles in Africa. The book intertwines narrative and commentary, using an essayistic style to present a "small-town test-taker's" understanding of "living" and development during his arduous journey in a foreign land. While exposing problems, he integrates his genuine reflections, making the read both light and fresh, yet also prompting deep contemplation.

As a Ph.D. student in civil engineering at Tsinghua University, Cao Fengze joined Sinohydro Bureau 11 of PowerChina after graduation to participate in Belt and Road construction in Africa. This idealistic practitioner, through his personal experiences, proves to everyone that self-interest is not the only path one can take in the world.

This book is a collection of the author's personal essays, including some of his experiences before going to Africa, his work and life experiences in African countries, and his experience participating in the BRICS Youth Summit, among others. The combination of his personal career choice and the grand narrative of the "Belt and Road" construction immediately sparks dazzling brilliance, drawing readers in irresistibly.

出版日期/Publication Date：April 2, 2025
出版社/Publisher：东方出版社
出品方/Imprint:
页数/Page: 302