On August 29, 2021, in the Cox’s Bazar region of Bangladesh, the country’s first maritime airport runway expansion project officially held its groundbreaking ceremony. Prime Minister Hasina of Bangladesh attended the ceremony and delivered a speech via video connection. She said that the project is one of the major livelihood projects promised by Bangladesh's last government during the general election. The government will strive to build the Cox's Bazar area into an international aviation hub and inject new vitality into the local economic development.

It is reported that the project was constructed by a joint venture between China Civil Engineering Group Co., Ltd. and the Yangtze River Yichang Waterway Bureau. The joint venture officially signed a contract with the owner on February 9, and the project period was 33 months. The project draws on the design concept of the third runway of Hong Kong International Airport. After the project is completed, the total length of the airport runway will reach 3,300 meters, which can take off and land all large-scale civil aviation models.

According to reports, the Cox’s Bazar Airport runway expansion project is a key project of the Bangladesh government. In their speeches, officials such as Ali Ali, Minister of State of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism of Bangladesh, expressed their gratitude to Chinese companies for overcoming difficulties in the new crown epidemic and devoting themselves to Bangladesh's infrastructure construction.

Keywords: One Belt One Road, overseas projects, engineering news

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming stated in his speech that under the Belt and Road Initiative, China and Bangladesh have conducted extensive and successful cooperation in infrastructure and other fields. The implementation of this project will vigorously promote the development of tourism and economic prosperity in Cox's Bazar. It is believed that China Civil Engineering Group Co., Ltd. and the Yangtze River Yichang Waterway Bureau will deliver high-quality results to the Bangladeshi government and people during the contract period. Editor/Tian Zengpeng