Nak Loeung bridge named as 'Tsubasa' to strengthen ties with Japan

 

Photo/CEN

PHNOM PENH (The Cambodia Herald) -- Prime Minister Hun Sen on Wednesday jointly presided over the ceremony to link a part to another part of $95 million Nak Loeung Bridge in Prey Veng province. 

At the ceremony, Hun Sen said he agreed to name the bridge 'Tsubasa', Japanese for bird stretches wings, following a request of Nakane Kazuyuki, under-secretary of state of Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

The premier, meanwhile, announced launch of new 500 Riel banknote featuring with photos of Kizuna bridge in Kampong Cham and Nak Loeung bridge in Prey Veng on one of its side in order to strengthen ties and cooperation between Cambodia and Japan. The launch of the new banknote represents relations and diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Hun Sen said the bridge was named like that because this Nak Loeung bridge is a swing bridge which is supported by cables on both sides just like the bird stretches its wings. 

Nakane Kazuyuki also gave another meaning for Tsubasa bridge, saying that the bird stretching wings to fly is like handshakes between Cambodia and Japan for the cooperation of all sectors such as trade, tourism and economic filed. 

The 2,220 meter-long bridge constructed under grand aid of Japanese government plus fund from government will be put into operation in the first week of April, 2015, becoming the longest bridge in Cambodia.

 The bridge crossing Mekong River links National Road number 1 in Kandal's Lerk Daek district to Prey Veng's Peam Ro district.