When the sandstorms of the Sahara blew over the millennium old stone walls of the ancient city of Hingaiti, and when the waves of the Atlantic hit the coastline of Nouakchott, two civilizations completed a dialogue across time and space on the land of Mauritania. On December 1, 2023, in this country where deserts and oceans intersect, a national memorial tower that combines ancient wisdom and modern craftsmanship was officially laid and started construction, becoming the best witness of the friendship between China and Mauritius in the new era.

From a desert ancient city to a coastal metropolis

This 65 meter tall memorial tower is located at the intersection of five main roads in the heart of the capital city of Nouakchott, at the intersection of traffic police. Its design inspiration comes from the spire of the Xingaiti Ancient City Mosque, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But this is not a simple replication, but a clever translation of civilization: the combination of aluminum and marble materials, while retaining traditional Islamic geometric aesthetics, injects the concise power of modern architecture; The 50 meter high main tower not only continues the sacred proportion of the ancient spire, but also achieves modern expansion of its functions through optical beacons and observation platforms.

Even more cleverly, a model display area of the Shingaiti Mosque lighthouse has been specially set up inside the tower, allowing visitors to still experience the rich history of desert civilization in the urban environment. This design concept of traditional form and modern expression is just like Mauritania's own development path - while adhering to its cultural roots, it firmly moves towards a modern future.

75% and 25% fund passwords

The total investment of this project is about 780 million Uygia, and its funding structure reflects unique cooperation wisdom: the Nouakchott region bears 75%, and the national finance bears 25%. This locally led investment model has demonstrative significance in infrastructure construction in Africa. It breaks the one-way nature of traditional aid projects and ensures that projects truly meet local development needs by fully mobilizing local enthusiasm.

As the contractor, China Road and Bridge Corporation not only brings mature construction technology and engineering management experience, but also creates a large number of local job opportunities and trains professional technical talents within a 20 month construction period. This full cycle cooperation of construction, training and handover is the concrete practice of the principle of joint construction and sharing under the the Belt and Road Initiative. From the opening of the China Mauritius Friendship Overpass in 2018 to the current construction of the Memorial Tower, the construction trajectory of Chinese companies in Maota clearly outlines a cooperative upgrade path from simple infrastructure to cultural landmarks, from transportation connections to spiritual connectivity.

Cultural Symbols and Development Engines

The construction of the memorial tower will have multiple effects. At the cultural level, it will work together with the China Mauritius Friendship Overpass to form the capital's dual regional standard bureau, becoming a cultural symbol that highlights national identity. At the functional level, the coffee shops, restaurants, museums, and observation platforms set up inside the tower will be transformed into a new center for urban culture and leisure. At the development level, the implementation of the project will drive the renewal of surrounding areas, enhance the city's image, and promote the development of the tourism industry.

Of particular note is that the project is located in the core area next to the old airport. This former transportation hub will be transformed into a cultural hub through the construction of a memorial tower, achieving creative regeneration of urban space. This update model provides new ideas for the protection of cultural heritage and urban development in the rapid urbanization process of Africa. Keywords: the Belt and Road news, the Belt and Road latest information

When Mauritanian President Ghazwani delivered a speech at the groundbreaking ceremony, the crane behind him was lifting the first steel beam. This scene is highly symbolic: tradition and modernity, local and international, protection and development coexist harmoniously on this land.Editor/Cheng Liting