At the CICA (Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia) Skills Competition on July 1, Waqas Rasool from Pakistan stood out in the Intelligent Operation and Inspection of High-Voltage Cables event.
As he expertly handled a cable joint, one person watched his every move from the sidelines—his Chinese mentor, Jiang Liangping.
"We've worked together for 10 years," said Rasool, "We've grown grey together."
The two have worked together for nearly a decade at China Huaneng's Pakistan branch. Jiang trained Rasool in power plant operations, and over the years, their relationship has grown from colleagues to teacher and student, and then to close friends.
Before the competition, Jiang took Rasool to a training center in Shandong Province, where they spent more than 10 days preparing together. Rasool describes his mentor as kind but rigorous. They trained from early morning until late at night, with breaks only for meals.
The hard work paid off. At the awards ceremony on July 3, Rasool won first prize in the Intelligent Operation and Inspection of High-Voltage Cables event. As soon as he stepped off the stage, he embraced his mentor Jiang.
Jiang will soon leave Pakistan after spending 10 years there. "I was very sad when I heard the news," Rasool said, "but the knowledge he taught me will stay with me forever and help me build my country."
Author: Huang Qini
Photo: Guangzhou Federation of Trade Unions
