Hun Sen urges China to accelerate flagship projects
Senate President Hun Sen (left) shakes hands with President of China Xi Jinping, in Beijing, China, on Friday. Senate
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Synopsis: The request follows as the Royal Government prioritises infrastructure development as a key driver of economic growth.
Senate President Hun Sen urged China to accelerate the implementation of several major infrastructure projects in Cambodia, including the Funan Techo Canal (FTC) and the Phnom Penh-Bavet Expressway.
The request was made during his official visit to China from June 25-27, where he met separately with high-ranking Chinese officials, including Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President of China, and Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of China.
Chea Thyrith, Spokesperson of the Senate and CPP, told the media on Saturday that, aside from security cooperation, the central focus of the meeting between President Xi and Senate President Hun Sen was economic, trade and investment cooperation.
The spokesperson noted that President Xi also called for the active implementation of the existing Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to further boost bilateral trade.
The Senate President reaffirmed that Cambodia and China are ironclad friends, saying their relationship would remain unchanged despite changes in the global landscape and climate. “Cambodia considers China an old friend, a true friend and a trusted partner for the Cambodian people,” Mr Hun Sen added.
According to Thyrith, both sides also discussed expanding cooperation in the economic and infrastructure sectors. Mr Hun Sen requested China to continue supporting infrastructure development in Cambodia, stressing that China’s contribution to the Kingdom’s infrastructure development is indispensable.
Meanwhile, during the meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, both sides also discussed strengthening economic cooperation, which the spokesperson described as the core of Cambodia-China relations.
During the visit, the Senate President also met with Song Hailiang, Chairman of the China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), urging the company to accelerate the infrastructure projects it is currently implementing in Cambodia.
According to the Senate Spokesperson, the key projects include the construction of the FTC, the Phnom Penh-Bavet Expressway and National Road 50C, which connects Kampong Chhnang and Kampong Thom provinces.
In response, the CCC Chairman expressed satisfaction with the implementation of the agreements signed between his company and Cambodia, and pledged to complete the projects as per the schedule.
The FTC, valued at $1.7 billion, broke ground in August 2024 and is expected to be completed in 2028.
Likewise, the 135-km Phnom Penh-Bavet Expressway, a $1.35 billion project that began construction in March 2023, is expected to be completed next year. Both projects are being developed by CCCC.
The request comes as the Royal Government continues to prioritise infrastructure development as a key driver of economic growth, with China remaining one of the Kingdom’s largest development partners and a major financier of roads, bridges, expressways and other strategic projects.
-Khmer Times-
