Guizhou paves way for Georgia's transport infrastructure

Work goes on at the construction site of the E60 highway. [Photo/Guizhou Daily]

The relationship between China and the country of Georgia now transcends mountains and spans 5,800 kilometers, after a highway manufacturer from mountainous Southwest China's Guizhou province was contracted to help out in the improvement of the latter's transport infrastructure. 

The E60 highway currently under construction by Guizhou builders is the largest and most complex engineering project in Georgia's history, serving as its only international road route connecting Asia and Europe.

Starting from the capital city of Tbilisi, on completion it will wind 57.81 kilometers through the Caucasus Mountains and reach the port city of Batumi.

Due to the striking similarities between the terrain and topography of Georgia and Guizhou, the Georgian government chose the Guizhou road team for its expertise in constructing highways in vertiginous regions.

In 2020, the contractors from Guizhou Highway Engineering Group Co arrived in Georgia, taking on the challenge of building this vital east-west artery in the Caucasus Mountains and marking their largest overseas project to date.

"This is currently the largest overseas project undertaken by our company. With all the tunnels now successfully completed, it has achieved important phased accomplishments, providing strong guarantees for the full opening of the highway," said Mei Shilun, the director of the E60 highway project at the construction site on Nov 5.

Georgia sits at the crossroads of the ancient Silk Road and the modern Eurasian corridor – making it one of the first countries to respond to and actively participate in the joint development of the Belt and Road Initiative. Today, the ancient Silk Road and modern highways intersect and integrate in the country.

This year, China and Georgia established a strategic partnership. In September, during the 12th China (Guizhou) International Alcoholic Beverages Expo in Guizhou, the province and Georgia's Imereti region signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a sister-province relationship.

As a result, the two regions will implement cooperative projects in infrastructure construction, education and in other areas.