The Xi Jinping Boulevard signpost was inaugurated on July 19 in Phnom Penh. - Peng Ponea via social media
PHNOM PENH: The newly appointed Chinese ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin said the inauguration of the Xi Jinping Boulevard signpost, named after the current Chinese president, vividly demonstrates the inseparable friendship between China and Cambodia. He also urged a new chapter in Sino-Cambodian relations.
The ceremony was held in Choam Chao III commune in Phnom Penh’s Por Sen Chey district on Friday (July 19), the 66th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cambodia.
Xi Jinping Boulevard, formerly the Third Ring Road, is nearly 53 kilometres long and connects Phnom Penh to Kandal Province.
“We are pleased to celebrate this day to vibrantly demonstrate the inseparable traditional friendship between China and Cambodia.
“The day also highlights the bright future of mutually beneficial cooperation between our countries and will continue to create new achievements,” Wang said.
The ambassador noted that Mao Zedong Blvd, Xi Jinping Blvd, Preah Sihanouk Blvd and Samdech Hun Sen Blvd are interconnected and symbolise the strong commitment and unity between China and Cambodia.
He said this connection represents the shared dedication to continuing the traditional friendship nurtured by the previous generation of leaders from both countries, promoting stronger Sino-Cambodian relations.
“Driving on the wide Xi Jinping Boulevard and seeing the large buildings gives us a glimpse of a better, brighter future for Phnom Penh.
“I believe that Phnom Penh will become an important hub in the Indochina peninsula and South-East Asia, full of vitality and strength,” Wang said.
He emphasised that the China-Cambodia friendship has a long history, deep roots and “good leaves”, making their ironclad friendship a model of international relations.
“As the new Chinese ambassador, I look forward to cooperating with friends from all walks of life in both countries to strongly implement the consensus between our leaders and comprehensively deepen mutually beneficial cooperation.
“China and Cambodia are promoting their ironclad friendship to achieve even more. Let's write a new chapter in Sino-Cambodian friendship,” Wang said.
In late May, Prime Minister Hun Manet and former Chinese ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian presided over a symbolic inauguration ceremony for the road at Phnom Penh’s Peace Palace.
The boulevard itself was officially inaugurated in August 2023 in the presence of former Prime Minister Hun Sen, currently Senate president.
Minister of Public Works and Transport Peng Ponea said at the event that after nearly one year of operation, the boulevard has boosted the growth potential of all types of transportation and facilitated the movement of people, reducing the need to travel through Phnom Penh, thereby easing traffic congestion and saving time.
“The boulevard has been transforming adjacent areas into zones for logistics growth, industry, factories, warehouses and residential and housing development. These areas are now more densely populated and experiencing increasing business activity.
“Now and in the future, these areas will continue to be suburbs for further development,” he said.
To date, road and bridge infrastructure development and rehabilitation projects, funded by Chinese loans and grants, both completed and under construction, total approximately US$3 billion.
These ventures include 4,000km of roads and 16 large bridges spanning about 14,000 metres, Ponea said. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
