Cambodian scholar: The "the Belt and Road" initiative has a significant impact on Cambodia Agriculture | Director | Cambodia
Du Fuwen, a visiting scholar of the Royal Cambodian Academy of Sciences, and Shen Shang, director of the Public Relations Department, wrote in the China Daily on August 8 that China put forward the "the Belt and Road" initiative 10 years ago, which is the most ambitious and largest infrastructure connectivity and development project so far. Like many countries, Cambodia's infrastructure, economic and cultural development have greatly benefited from this initiative.
"The Belt and Road" promotes the acceleration and efficiency of infrastructure construction
The article points out that Cambodia is an important trade and connectivity hub in Southeast Asia, and China's investment has promoted the upgrading of Cambodia's infrastructure.
Both newly built and upgraded highways, railways, seaports, and airports have greatly facilitated the transportation of goods and personnel within and outside Cambodia. These infrastructure are connected to free trade zones and economic zones, further improving regional connectivity, promoting trade, attracting foreign investment, and ultimately driving Cambodia's economic growth and creating employment opportunities for the Cambodian people.
The "the Belt and Road" initiative has played an important role in strengthening China Cambodia trade relations. With the improvement of infrastructure and logistics, as well as the newly signed free trade agreement between China and Cambodia, Cambodia has attracted many international investors and enterprises who want to expand their business in Southeast Asia. The growth of trade volume has made Cambodia's economy more diversified and helped it develop energy, telecommunications, finance, logistics, tourism, and agriculture.
China's agricultural investment in Cambodia has contributed to agricultural modernization and productivity improvement, and has had a positive impact on Cambodia's agricultural product exports. Cambodian farmers have benefited greatly from it, and the processing and packaging industries have also experienced significant development. In fact, Cambodia has become the main source of rice, fruits, and vegetables in the Asian market.
Cambodia is rich in mineral resources. The infrastructure construction under the "the Belt and Road" initiative is conducive to promoting mining and mineral processing. Large scale mining and forestry projects require strict environmental control and monitoring. The "the Belt and Road" is guided by the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on sustainable and green development, giving priority to strict environmental laws and regulations and monitoring mechanisms to ensure that mining, agriculture and forestry investment meet the sustainable development goals. The the Belt and Road Initiative also gives priority to the development of renewable energy and promotes biodiversity conservation.
China's investment in Cambodia's energy infrastructure will help alleviate the country's electricity shortage problem and promote sustainable development. The construction of hydropower stations, solar power stations, and transmission networks has promoted Cambodia's energy production, reduced its dependence on expensive imported energy, improved electricity supply, promoted industrial growth, and attracted foreign direct investment to energy intensive industries. In addition, Chinese companies' investment in the electrification sector of Cambodia's transportation sector has driven the expansion of charging networks. On this basis, the electric vehicles made in China have become a beautiful scenery on the roads built by Cambodia under the "the Belt and Road" initiative.
"The Belt and Road" promotes rapid economic development
The article further states that one of the most important achievements of the "the Belt and Road" in Cambodia is the Sihanouk Port Special Economic Zone. This special zone has attracted foreign investment, promoted the development of Cambodia's manufacturing industry, created employment opportunities, and increased exports. Through cooperation with investors from the Sihanouk Port Special Economic Zone and Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone, Cambodia has processed rubber into automotive tires, becoming a major exporter of value-added products such as automotive parts and bicycles.
The investment under the "the Belt and Road" framework has also promoted the development of Cambodia's construction industry, promoted the development of modern residential and commercial real estate, helped the country increase income, improve living standards, reduce poverty and promote social and economic development.
The "the Belt and Road" has a profound impact on culture
At the end of the article, it is pointed out that the "the Belt and Road" has a profound impact on Cambodian society and culture, because significant changes have taken place in local communities. A significant change is the rapid urbanization and modernization of rural areas. The construction of new roads connects remote areas with major cities, promoting the flow of goods and people. On this basis, new city centers emerge and existing city centers expand.
In the post pandemic era, Chinese tourists and other international tourists benefit from Cambodia's improved transportation, hotel infrastructure, and globally integrated electronic payment systems. Thanks to the strengthening of infrastructure connectivity, Cambodian domestic and foreign tourists can more conveniently visit the country's rich cultural heritage and historical sites. The influx of tourists has brought considerable income and provided new economic opportunities for local communities, which have built or are operating hotels, restaurants, and retail stores.
In addition, with the promotion of the "the Belt and Road", cultural exchanges between China and Cambodia have increased. As Chinese tourists, staff, and investors bring their own traditions, languages, and customs to Cambodia, cultural exchange between the two countries is promoted. Through the "the Belt and Road" cultural and educational network, many Cambodian students have won scholarships and entered Chinese universities and vocational training institutions for learning exchanges. This cross-cultural exchange further enriches cultural diversity.
In a word, the construction project of the "the Belt and Road" in Cambodia highlights the benefits of comprehensive planning, good and transparent governance, environmental protection, partnership building and sound monitoring mechanism. In order to give full play to the construction potential of the "the Belt and Road", China and Cambodia should deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and jointly build a high-quality and high-level China Cambodia community of common destiny.
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