Hun Sen Seeks Chinese Help for Bridge Project
Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday urged China to come up with enough funding for Cambodia to build a 3.5km bridge across the Tonle Sap and connect National Road 6 in Kampong Thom with Kampong Chhang province. Speaking at a ground-breaking ceremony for a $20 million Chinese bridge crossing the Bassac River in Kandal province, Mr. Hun Sen lauded China for providing financial assistance to 11 out of 17 bridge projects, seven of which have already been built and another five of which are currently under construction with help from Japan and China. “One plan is to have a China-Cambodia friendship bridge that will pass over the Tonle Sap. It will be the longest bridge and 3.5 kilometres,” he said at the presence of China’s ambassador, Pan Guangxue. …. As well as the four Chinese-funded bridges being built in Stung Treng, Kandal and Phnom Penh, they are plans in store for Chinese bridges across the Mekong in Kratie and Kompong Cham provinces, he said. … “In the Tonle Sap basin, there are no ownership rights,” [Mr. Hun Sen] said. “For people who live along the Tonle Sap, such as in Ponhea Leu and Mok Kampul districts [in Kandal province], and other people who live along the Mekong and Bassac rivers, you will get land titles.”
