A new historic project is about to be born in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. On February 19, 2024, a grand groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Baidalong Barcelona River Bridge project. This major infrastructure project undertaken by a Chinese enterprise not only marks a new solid step in cooperation between China and Cambodia, but also demonstrates the firm determination of both sides to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and common development.

The Baidalong Barcelona River Bridge project is located in the southern part of Phnom Penh City, with a total length of 1650 meters. The project design adopts a two-way four lane approach, with two motorcycle lanes and two sidewalks set up. The project is provided by the Export Import Bank of China with preferential export buyer credit, and constructed by Shanghai Construction Engineering Group Co., Ltd. It is planned to be completed and opened to traffic in 2027.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manai said at the ceremony that China has always provided significant support for Cambodia's economic and social development, especially attaching great importance to helping Cambodia develop transportation infrastructure. So far, various funds have been used to build more than ten bridges in Cambodia, and the Cambodian government and people are deeply moved by this. 2024 is the "China Cambodia Cultural Exchange Year", and Cambodia is willing to work with China to continue promoting bilateral economic and trade cooperation, expanding friendly exchanges in various fields, and promoting the development and recovery of the tourism industry.

Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian emphasized that the completion of the project will become an important link for cross-strait transportation, injecting new impetus into the integrated development of the capital economic circle. China is willing to continue to increase investment in Cambodia's infrastructure construction, work hand in hand with Cambodia, and jointly promote more cooperation projects to take root, adding new connotations to the "Diamond Six Sides" cooperation structure between China and Cambodia. Editor/Zhao E