Prime Minister Hun Sen has pledged to call on China for help to build a high-speed railway from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville during his forthcoming visit to the nation.
On January 14, during the fifth meeting with journalists in Cambodia, Prime Minister Hun Sen said he will visit China from February 9 to 11.
The visit is to commemorate the third anniversary of Hun Sen’s visit to China, at a time when people were fleeing the country for fear of Covid-19.
In addition, the Prime Minister said his visit will result in additional infrastructure projects in Cambodia, such as the high-speed railway.
“Cambodia already has a railway, but it cannot operate on time. So, maybe we can propose this project to our Chinese friend [and ask] for help in building a railway for Cambodia,” he said. “There will also be another cooperation project.”
He said his visit is also linked with the 65th anniversary of Cambodia-China relations, which, he added, is a significant historical event.
Since the Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA) entered into force, it has enhanced trade between the two countries and strengthened collaboration, with more cooperation projects in the pipeline, he added.
In January 2022, the CCFTA was ratified in accordance with the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.