A journey of trust and growth between Chinese energy giant and Emirati executive

Deep in the desert about a two-hour drive from Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a landscape dominated by a mixture of desert yellow and industrial grey stretches across the horizon. Against the flat, endless desert, drills hum steadily, and neatly arranged pipelines traverse the rugged terrain, extending into the distance.

This is the northernmost project at the Bab Oilfield in the UAE, where Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) is constructing core facilities for a greener oilfield. As Abu Dhabi's largest onshore oilfield, the key to Bab's upgrade lies in building a green degassing station at the Far North Bab project, a task undertaken by China Petroleum Engineering & Construction Corporation (CPECC).

Walid Ahmed, an Emirati, has been working as an administrative supervisor since 2018. In an interview with People's Daily Online, Ahmed shared his original motivation for joining a Chinese enterprise like CPECC, which was the company's rapid growth and remarkable efficiency.

"The working environment here is disciplined and well-organized," said Ahmed. "Though we come from different cultural backgrounds, everyone is fully committed to achieving our common goals."

Ahmed admits he once held certain preconceptions about Chinese enterprises, but those changed as soon as he joined. "Their approach to work is incredibly meticulous and serious," said Ahmed. "I believe that's exactly why Chinese companies continue to succeed."

Though working in a multicultural setting has been challenging for Ahmed, he still regards it as an opportunity. In his opinion, collaborating with colleagues from different cultures and backgrounds can be demanding, but once he learned to understand and embrace those differences, they become a tremendous source of strength.

"When people with diverse skills and perspectives come together, share experiences, exchange ideas, and learn from one another, we can achieve much more—and gain much more in return," Ahmed added.

Over the years, Ahmed has long regarded the company as a second home. When reflecting on his experience working with his Chinese colleagues, Ahmed's face lit up with joy.

"Earlier, when my leaders and colleagues came to my wedding, I was deeply touched. It became a truly special moment in my life," he recalled. "We support each other like family."

In the UAE, many young people like Ahmed dream of joining Chinese companies and realizing their ambitions. To them, he shared this advice: "Stay proactive, believe in yourself, and grow together with the company. Here, you'll not only learn valuable skills but also gain perspectives and strengths that will stay with you for life."