Chinese Pledge $55 Million for Roads

By Chun Sakada,
VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
01 February 2008

Audio in Khmer - Listen (MP3)

China and Cambodia signed a $55-million agreement Thursday to improve the national roads in the northeast.

The money was pledged at a signing ceremony during the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi. China has been expanding its aid in the region and gave $600 million in aid to Cambodia in 2007.

Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said following a signing ceremony the money would be used to connect Stung Treng and Ratanakkiri provinces.

“In previous years, China lent us $300 million with a low interest rate for infrastructure construction,” Hor Namhong said. “With that $300 million, we have had two bridges and four national roads constructed.”

Yang Jiechi said through an interpreter the two countries had also agreed to promote friendly relations and bilateral cooperation.

“We highly appreciate that Cambodia upholds the one-China policy, opposing any such claim as Taiwan’s independence,” he said.

Hor Namhong reiterated the Cambodia position: “Taiwan is a province of the People’s Republic of China that cannot be separated, no matter what tactics they use.”

Taiwanese bids for independence could destabilize the region, Hor Namhong said.