New Olympic City in in Uzbekistan showcases China’s construction prowess

Central Asia's largest sports complex, built by a Chinese company in Uzbekistan, is ready to host the 2025 Asian Youth Games. As the first major project completed under China-Uzbekistan cooperation, it took just two years to build using advanced green technology.

In Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, state-of-the-art sports facilities are taking shape as part of the Uzbekistan Olympic City, built by China CAMC Engineering, which is set to host the 4th Asian Youth Games and the 5th Asian Youth Para Games in 2025.

"The project, contracted on December 31, 2022, spans over 100 hectares and includes five large sports venues, one sports office building, and 15 outdoor facilities. The design phase was completed in just four months. From 2023 to 2025, the entire construction was finished in only two years—an exceptionally fast pace, even by Chinese standards. At peak times, the Chinese team comprised over 2,000 workers. The project highlights China’s rapid, efficient, and high-quality construction capabilities," said Guo Zijie, general manager of 4th Engineering Division of China CAMC Engineering.

Many local people recognize that this project integrates China's advanced concepts and technologies in combination with the local conditions.

"The entire project was designed to Chinese standards while carefully considering local conditions and usage habits, such as the height of switches and backboards. The approach makes the project a successful blend of Chinese design and local requirements. As a state-of-the-art, multifunctional sports venue cluster, it incorporates numerous advanced technologies and equipment. Structurally, the venue features a roof photovoltaic system with a total capacity of 7 megawatts, ensuring full solar panel coverage. For landscaping, the design takes the local climate into account, incorporating a water system that is both visually appealing and functional for rainwater storage and regulation, enhancing the overall landscape effect," said Zhang Yu, chief designer of the project.

Locals feel that the project has brought tangible improvements to their daily lives.

Nazarov Dilshojon Rasul, a staff member at the Uzbekistan Olympic Sports City project, said that thanks to the project, the region's infrastructure has greatly improved, with new roads and buildings being built, making transportation more convenient. The anticipated rise in tourism and the hosting of major events will also generate increased employment opportunities for them.

This project also shows that infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative provide new opportunities for better cooperation and development between China and Central Asian countries.

New Olympic City in in Uzbekistan showcases China’s construction prowess

Israel is scheduled to hold parliamentary elections on Tuesday, its first national vote since the Oct. 7, 2023 outbreak of the Palestine-Israel conflict, amid deep divisions among voters over national security and the country's political direction.

Ahead of polling day, voters interviewed by China Global Television Network (CGTN) in Jerusalem identified security concerns and whether to continue supporting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as key issues shaping their electoral choices.

"The most topic issue for me is the security of the country and what we deal with, and second also the unification of our country, of our people. So, for the unification of the country, I will say that I would support the others, not Netanyahu. But for the safety of the country, I think Netanyahu is the best manager of the situation right now, so I would vote for him probably," said Benny, a Jerusalem resident.

Still, prolonged geopolitical tensions and ongoing fighting have shaken many voters' confidence in the incumbent government's ability to ensure national security.

"I think that this has been an absolute failure; someone who put himself as Mr. Security, I think we're in a worse position than we were. The stalemate that we have with Iran, we haven't accomplished our goals. Politically, we're in a worse situation than we were before. And again, with Hezbollah, despite the military successes, we're still stuck there again. And so all this is a stalemate, he hasn't been able to prove himself, he's not able to move forward," said Evan, another resident.

Meanwhile, some moderate voters are calling for greater unity among different social and ethnic groups within the country, arguing that this is a more pressing priority than security concerns.

"I am most concerned about social issues, there seems to be a big divide in Israel between left and right. I think we need more unity," said Jerusalem resident Raphael.

For peace advocates, ending the Palestine-Israel conflict and the occupation, and promoting coexistence among different communities, remain top priorities. Many ordinary citizens say they are tired of political polarization and prolonged conflict, and are calling for meaningful change.

"Security means peace and it means that taking care of what we did in Gaza and to let people, Jews, Arabs, all nations to live here in peace. Settlers are able to do whatever they do because on their side there are the army and the police, and I hope that there would be someone else on top that really wants to solve it. We didn't achieve anything; we didn't achieve it. It all went the wrong way," said Jerusalem resident Tamara.

Israeli voters divided ahead of national elections