Cambodia inaugurates China-funded Senate buildings

Xinhua | 2014-1-20 By Agencies

The Cambodian Senate on Monday inaugurated three office buildings, which were constructed under the Chinese grant aid of 7.7 million US dollars.

The inauguration was presided over by Say Chhum, Acting- President of the Cambodian Senate, and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Bu Jianguo, and was attended by senators and other dignitaries.

Speaking at the event, Say Chhum extended his gratitude to the China's National People's Congress, Chinese government and people for their generous support to Cambodia for the development in all fields.

"The people of Cambodia are very satisfied with the excellent ties and cooperation between Cambodia and China and believe that China will play a greater role in the bilateral-and-multilateral frameworks as well as regional and international frameworks," he said.

"The Senate vows to further enhance the long-standing friendship relations and cooperation between Cambodia and China for the mutual benefits of the two countries and peoples," he said.

Say Chhum also reiterated Cambodia's staunch support for the one-China policy.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Bu said the new achievement came from excellent ties and cooperation between the legislative bodies and governments of the two countries.

"China sees Cambodia as a faithful brother and friend," she said, adding that "China will still continuesupporting Cambodia for social and economic development and poverty reduction."

Looking to the future, she said China would further deepen cooperation with Cambodia in the fields of politics, economics, trade, agriculture, tourism, and culture.

The three office buildings had been built by the China's Guangdong Foreign Construction in the period of nearly two years, said Oum Sarith, the Senate's Secretary General, adding that each of the buildings is comprised of 3 floors.

The whole project cost 7.7 million US dollars including furniture and office equipment, he said.

According to Oum Sarith, since its establishment in 1999 to date, the Cambodian Senate has received 11 times of grant aid in the total amount of 12.5 million US dollars from the government of China.

"China was the first country that helped the Cambodian Senate when it was established," he said. "The buildings are a new achievement of good ties and cooperation between the two countries. "