Work on China-funded road begins in Cambodia's western part

[PEOPLE'S DAILY ONLINE]

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Wednesday broke ground for the construction of a China-funded national road No. 41 west of the capital Phnom Penh in order to boost economic development.

The 95-km road will be built under the soft loan of 46 million U.S. dollars from the government of China.

The road is located 37 km west of Phnom Penh and goes through four provinces--Kampong Speu, Kandal, Takeo and Kampot. it starts from the junction of national road No. 4 at Thnal Totoeung area in Kampong Speu province's Samrong Tong district to end in Kampot province's Chumkiri district.

Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony, Hun Sen said that the road is a new strategic one bridging Kampot, a coastal province, to Phnom Penh and other provinces.

"It will be the main road in distributing salt from Kampot to other cities and provinces in Cambodia," he said during the ceremony, which was participated by approximately 10,000 top government officials, diplomatic corps, locals and students.

Kampot is the only province that produces salt for Cambodia.

The premier also expressed profound thanks to Chinese government and people for their constantly support for Cambodia in its social and economic development.

"All Chinese assistance focuses on roads, bridges, energy, and irrigation system, they are in line with the strategy of Cambodian government in the national development," he said. "China is the largest donor of road and bridge development in Cambodia."

Meanwhile, Chinese ambassador to Cambodia Pan Guangxue said that the road will be a new choice to travel from Phnom Penh to coastal Kampot province.

"It will also boost transports of Cambodian well-known durians and peppers in Kampot to markets in other parts of the country," he said. "It will be symbolized new friendship, cooperation and development between China and Cambodia."

The ambassador added that the government of China has fully supported Cambodia in its effort to develop its society and economy in order to reduce poverty.

"Besides the support by grants and loans, the government of China has also strongly encouraged Chinese investors to do businesses in Cambodia."

The road will be constructed by the China Road and Bridge Corporation, it will be taken 40 months to complete.