A Chinese joint venture is building Timor-Leste’s first expressway, a project which has improved many local people’s lives, Xinhua reported on Jan 5.

Because of the expressway project, local constructors working on it are now considered as a high-income group, enjoying the right to buy goods on credit at stores.

Before the project kicked off, they were farmers living on low incomes. Now, their incomes are guaranteed, and through the construction, they’ve mastered driving, controlling vehicles, and engineering devices.

Antonio, a father of three, said his monthly income was a little more than $100, but is now double that.

“The Chinese enterprise has cultivated a group of skilled workers for the future construction of Timor-Leste,” said a translator with the project.

The expressway received a lot of attention after construction on it started. Yang Xiaohan, a project manager, said all kinds of people in Timor-Leste regard it as a national pride.

According to Yang, upon seeing the pier of the expressway, eight Timor-Leste officials, including a minister, posed for a picture joining hands to hold the big pillar to express their appreciation for the project.

“Timor-Leste is an important stop along the Belt and Road. By building the expressway well, we are demonstrating our devotion to the construction of the initiative,” said the project’s deputy general manager.