When Kamila Karamanova stepped off the train in Qingdao back in 2009, she was just another international student from Kazakhstan exploring new horizons. Over time, the eastern Shandong Province in the Chinese mainland became her second home—and the Belt and Road Initiative played a starring role.
Through academic exchanges and expanding trade routes, Kamila saw first hand how the initiative connected distant markets and enriched local communities. At this year's Shanghai Cooperation Organization Forum, she shared her journey with diplomats, entrepreneurs, and fellow changemakers: \"The Belt and Road Initiative built a bridge not only for goods and services but for people and dreams.\"
Her experience highlights how cross-border projects can foster cultural exchange, spark innovation, and create economic opportunities. As a young entrepreneur, Kamila now plans a startup linking manufacturers in Shandong with retailers in Almaty, harnessing the very supply chains that first inspired her.
For today's global citizens—students, tech enthusiasts, policy influencers, sports fans, and digital nomads—Kamila's story offers a fresh perspective on what it means to live and work across borders. The Belt and Road Initiative isn't just infrastructure on a map; it's a network of human stories forging shared prosperity around the world.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
