Depth report

　　

Cambodia was once an important stop on the ancient Maritime Silk Road and was also one of the earliest countries to respond to, participate in and practice the Belt and Road Initiative. In recent years, a large number of Chinese enterprises represented by China State Construction Engineering Corporation Limited (hereinafter referred to as "CSCEC") have entered Cambodia, supporting local infrastructure construction, bringing tangible benefits to the Cambodian people and providing strong support for Cambodia's long-term development.

Another fruit of the ironclad friendship between Cambodia and China

Where is the latest landmark building in Phnom Penh? On the streets of Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, a reporter got into a "tuk-tuk" and asked the driver for good places to take pictures of the city's scenery.

The National Stadium of Cambodia is located in the Wat Phnom District, northeast of Phnom Penh. That was built by Chinese enterprises. We have never seen such a big stadium before. While making the recommendation, the driver pulled out the photos of the 2023 Southeast Asian Games from his phone.

In 2023, the 32nd Southeast Asian Games were held in Phnom Penh. The National Stadium of Cambodia, which was built with the assistance of the Chinese government and constructed by China State Construction Engineering Corporation, served as the main venue for the event. This is the stadium with the largest scale and the highest grade of foreign aid provided by the Chinese government to date. It has a total construction area of more than 80,000 square meters and can accommodate approximately 60,000 spectators.

The 2023 Southeast Asian Games marks the return of the event to Phnom Penh after a 60-year absence. Cambodia regards it as an important opportunity to showcase its national image and development achievements. In 2021, when the National Stadium of Cambodia was officially handed over, then Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen praised it as "a great achievement in Cambodia's sports industry and another fruit of the ironclad friendship between Cambodia and China." During the sports meeting, the stadium lived up to expectations and successfully completed the opening and closing ceremonies as well as all important competition tasks.

When the reporter arrived at the stadium, it was nearly evening. On the opposite "Win-win" square, a group of local children were playing football. Vasatre, a 13-year-old boy who studies at a nearby primary school, told the reporter that this area was very desolate before the stadium was built. Nowadays, many large-scale events such as football matches and concerts are held in the stadium, and it is becoming more and more lively here. I hope that one day I can also become a key player on the sports field. Vasatre said.

Cambodian Minister of Information Nepadra told our reporter in an interview that the Belt and Road Initiative jointly built by Cambodia and China has strengthened infrastructure connectivity, promoted trade and investment, and driven the economic development of the two countries. The National Stadium project of Cambodia is an important achievement of the "Belt and Road Initiative" built by the Communist Party of China in Cambodia, and the Cambodian people have benefited a lot from it.

 

"Promote personnel exchanges between Cambodia and China"

In late April, Cambodia experiences an alternation between the dry and rainy seasons, with hot weather. In Kandan Province, about 20 kilometers south of Phnom Penh, at the construction site of Dechon International Airport, nearly 2,000 Chinese and Cambodian workers are engaged in intense construction and equipment debugging, presenting a bustling scene of activity.

The Desheng International Airport project, constructed by China State Construction Engineering Corporation, started construction in early 2020. Currently, the overall construction progress has reached 95.6%. According to project leader Yao Deshun, the airport covers an area of 2,600 hectares, including three 4-kilometer-long runways, one satellite terminal building and an energy center. After completion, it will become a 4F-level airport capable of accommodating various large aircraft.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Cambodia predicts that after the completion of Dechon International Airport, its annual passenger throughput will reach 50 million, which is six times that of the existing Phnom Penh International Airport. This will effectively alleviate the operational pressure on airports in the capital region of Cambodia and also play a promoting role in attracting international tourists.

As the largest infrastructure project in Cambodia at present, the construction of the Dechon International Airport project has received strong support from the Cambodian government. In 2020 and 2021, then Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen visited the project site twice. In 2024, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manay inspected the project and stated that the Dechon International Airport project is of great significance to Cambodia's economic development. The hard work of the Cambodian and Chinese builders has ensured the smooth progress of the project.

Cambodian Minister of Tourism Hu Hai said that the Dechon International Airport is modern in design and advanced in facilities. After its completion and operation, it is expected to become one of the largest airports in Southeast Asia, which will help attract more international tourists and further promote the development of Cambodia's tourism industry. "2025 is the 'Cambodia-China Tourism Year'. Cambodia hopes to take the opening of the new airport as an opportunity to attract more Chinese tourists and promote personnel exchanges between Cambodia and China." " Hu Hai said.

 

"Build a health building for the Cambodian people"

In the bustling center of Phnom Penh, a brand-new building with the flags of China and Cambodia hanging on it stands out conspicuously. From a distance, the "clasping ceremony" shape of the building is quite distinctive. This is the comprehensive medical building of Kosma China-Cambodia Friendship Hospital.

In the hospital, the reporter met Posala from Wat Phra Province, Cambodia. Posala is 55 years old this year. Troubled by illness, she has to come to the hospital for a check-up every three months. For the past five or six years, I have been reviewing here. After the new medical building was put into use in 2022, the environment became cleaner, the equipment more advanced and it was more comfortable to see a doctor. Posala said, "The friendly cooperation between Cambodia and China has continuously improved our lives."

Kosma Hospital is a well-known general hospital in Cambodia and has played a significant role in safeguarding the health of the Cambodian people. However, due to its age, the outpatient and inpatient Spaces are very cramped, and many devices are unusable because they are old and damaged. With the assistance of the Chinese side, the medical building constructed by China State Construction Engineering Corporation was officially put into use in March 2022. It has introduced high-end medical equipment and a scientific triage and medical care system, and has comprehensive functions such as outpatient services, emergency care, medical technology, inpatient care and logistics. The brand-new Kosma China-Cambodia Friendship Hospital has become one of the largest and most advanced hospitals in Cambodia. Tan Suokun, the director of the hospital, said that the Chinese government and Chinese builders have given the hospital a new life. "Chinese enterprises have built a health building for the Cambodian people, bringing real benefits to the people."

In 2022, the Chinese medical team of traditional Chinese medicine in Cambodia carried out their work based on the China-Cambodia Friendship Hospital in Kosma and opened a traditional Chinese medicine clinic there. In October 2023, the China-Cambodia Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine was also completed here, marking new achievements in medical cooperation between China and Cambodia.

According to Cambodian Minister of Health Chen La, up to now, the medical team of traditional Chinese medicine in Cambodia has treated and served over 51,000 patients from both Cambodia and China. They have also provided traditional Chinese medicine training for the Kosma China-Cambodia Friendship Hospital, thus building an "uncontainable medical team". The medical team has made contributions to the health of the Cambodian people, and the professional spirit and superb medical skills of Chinese doctors have been widely recognized. Qin La said.