Public Diplomacy. Dear friends from all over the world, look at the state-of-the-art Peliëšas behind me. The bridge connects the Peliëšas Peninsula directly to mainland Croatia, making travel much easier. What grandeur! I never dreamed... Excuse me, sir. Could you spare a moment to help us take a picture? Oh, here we got two gorgeous Chinese tourists. Certainly, I'll help.

Would you mind taking a selfie with me? Sure. Great! After all, without our dear Chinese friends, we won't have bridge at all. Wait a sec, our connection to this bridge runs steep. We're delegates from the Chinese government for the opening ceremony. I'm Ray, an engineer from China Road and Bridge Corporation, CRBC. And I'm Jocelyn, a Chinese diplomat at the embassy in Croatia. After all the pageantry, we're hunting for a charming little restaurant nearby.

Well, thrilled to meet you. meet you. As a gourmet, I can't recommend anything better than Bridge restaurants in Kermada. It has got stunning views. Let's go then! After all the seafood, I'm gearing up for a live streaming show on the epic tale of the Pelleasches Bridge. This marvel completely reshaped this place. Now, the town vibrates of life, supermarkets, chic restaurants, and convenience stores popped up like magic.

The buzz drew travel vloggers like me from near and far. Absolutely. Before the bridge, Komarna thrived on summer tourism only, with locals fishing or working in hospitality. Then came the bridge. Hundreds of locals found jobs during construction, and international suppliers from Germany, Poland, and beyond jumped on board. Suddenly, Komarna became a hub for transport and year-round tourism.

Moreover, the Piliashes Bridge sits right in a protected marine zone. During construction, the Chinese team went all out to minimize the environmental impact. They used an underwater bubble curtain to reduce noise from pile driving. Plus, all the sediment was carefully disposed of at approved sites. The sea state pristine. No wonder. I was here while the bridge was under construction. and every time I filmed, dolphins were frolicking in the waters nearby.

So, do projects like this take a long time because of all the eco-measures? To get the bridge ready on time, our Chinese team worked around the clock in three shifts. During construction, project managers formed genuine friendships with the people of Komorina. Even now, maintenance teams are still based in the village, keeping that connection alive. Moreover, the bridge stands as a testament to deepening ties between two nations.

When a 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit near the capital Zagreb in 2020, the bridge team swiftly launched a two-day relief campaign. Without hesitation, everyone rallied. Chinese, Croatian, it didn't matter. We're one team, hand in hand. Indeed, the Peliash S-Bridge sits in the high seismic zone, so it is designed to endorse on earthquakes. Constructing the bridge was a formidable challenge.

Yet China's always been known for its bridge building skills. Jocelyn, could you introduce some exceptional ancient Chinese bridges to us? Sure! Quanzhou is a historic city in Fujian, also the starting point of the Maritime Silk Road. At the mouth of its river stands the Luoyang Bridge. It was a symbol of the city's prosperity and seafaring past. It is also the world earliest cross stone bridge To deal with the strong tides ancient engineers used a raft foundation laying stones along the riverbed to form a 500 meter long embankment to support the piers Guess what kept the base rock solid? Let me see, I still remember. Oysters? Oysters? No way, that sounds irresistible. Indeed, the embankment had gaps, so craftsmen came up with the oyster reef reinforcement method, which means placing oysters near

the embankment. Oysters adhere tightly to rocks and with their ability to reproduce and seep into tiny cracks, they bind scatterstones into a solid mass. What a brilliant idea! Maybe we shouldn't be allowed to eat those oysters. Oysters also played a role in the Pelly Ashes Bridge, though not for reinforcement. During construction, we made sure to protect the nearby oyster farms so that the bridge wouldn't disrupt the ecosystem. Now the farms are still thriving and the oysters are as fresh as ever. How fascinating! Yet before the era of widespread global travel, how did Chinese bridges culturally influence other parts of the world? I know that Marco Polo was deeply impressed by the artistry of Chinese bridges. Indeed! In his travelogue, Marco Polo marveled at the very fine stone bridge over the Yongding River, so exquisite it has few rivals in the world. And thus,

the Lugou Bridge became known as the Marco Polo Bridge. Marco Polo's admiration for this ancient stone bridge highlights how early Chinese architecture became a model of cultural exchange. In the 20th century, the Lugou Bridge with its iconic lions transformed into a potent symbol of Chinese national unity and resilience. Moving forward, given the enduring appeal and durability of Chinese bridges, have other cultures tried to replicate our styles? Chinese-style bridges were central to the 17th and 18th century chinoiserie movement derived from the French word xinuo it celebrated oriental motifs like pagodas and bridges while chinoiserie reflected Europe's romanticized view of China it also acted as early soft diplomacy boosting China's cultural prestige globally have you ever heard of the de salvia's garden in Germany it's a vast landscape

Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park features an exquisite Chinese-style white bridge. I once visited the Chinese Garden or Yu Hua Yuan in Singapore. It's a white rainbow bridge with 13 arches. It's modeled after the 17th arch bridge in Beijing's Summer Palace. I should consider visiting the original soon. Oh, and by the way, I know that the Pali SS Bridge is part of the built-in road initiative and I'm planning a vlog series. Are there other BRI build bridges worth featuring? Oh, please don't miss the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, the Maldives' first modern bridge and the world's first cross-sea structure built on coral reefs in deep open waters.

Building bridge on coral reef? Unbelievable! Chinese engineers successfully addressed with the challenges posed by wave patterns for the Maldives Bridge. The precise calculations they They completed 20,000 welding points. Now, it seamlessly links the capital city Malay to the airport island, reducing a two-hour journey to just five minutes. Another engineering miracle. Totally. The China Mall of the East Bridge isn't just about convenience.

In fact, it is full of romantic vibe. It is now the go-to spot for wedding photos. Seriously, when it opened, five couples held their weddings right on the bridge. Weddings on a bridge? It's more than sweet moments. its infrastructure reborn as everyday diplomacy China efforts overall aren just about steel and concrete They about forging unbreakable bonds between peoples From the Pelley Bridge to the China East Friendship Bridge diplomacy unfolds in sheer routines everyday convenience and moments of celebration all brought to life by the enduring charm of Chinese bridges Here comes the theoretical explication.

Asian Chinese bridge building reflects its quintessential cultural value, 天人合一, humanity forming one with nature. An extraordinary structure arises from the intricate interplay of human ingenuity, architectural form, and profound harmony with the natural world. The Luoyang Bridge's ingenious use of oysters for reinforcement showcases nature-inspired innovation. Similarly, the Pelley-Ashes Bridge's bubble curtain technology exemplifies China's ability to blend engineering with environmental stewardship.

This preservation effort underscores its long-term orientation, solidifying its global reputation as a responsible actor. As the first major EU infrastructure projects won by Chinese firm, the Pelley-Ashes Bridge demonstrates China's fusion of engineering expertise with European standards. By leveraging the full industrial chain and adopting localized management, the project not only enhanced efficiency, but also empowered local communities and industries, reflecting China's commitment to enduring partnerships.

The project also typifies international collaboration for shared prosperity. When the earthquake struck, China's relief efforts and humanitarian response deepened Sino-Croatian ties, highlighting the altruistic spirit of its foreign aid. With globalization, Chinese bridges have transcended functionality to become symbols of cultural identity. The Piliashas Bridge extends its legacy, evolving into a landmark of global connectivity.

Build bridges, not walls. China's mission is to connect and unite. These bridges are promises of a world that chooses to reach out rather than retreat. Thank you.