STORY: China-aided mine clearance project saves lives, provides better livelihoods in Cambodia
SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 16, 2024
DATELINE: Jan. 18, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:19
LOCATION: Phnom Penh
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. SOUNDBITE 1 (Khmer): RATH POTTANA, Director of the CMAC's planning and operation unit
2. SOUNDBITE 2 (Khmer): SANG YON, Farmer
3. SOUNDBITE 3 (Khmer): RY SAREOUT, Farmer
4. SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): MA SHENGKUN, Deputy director general of the Department of Arms Control at China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs
5. various of a minefield in Siem Reap province
6. various of CMAC deminers searching for mines at a minefield in Siem Reap province
7. various of CMAC deminers detonating landmines at a minefield in Siem Reap province
8. various of Chinese delegation visiting a minefield in Siem Reap province

STORYLINE:

A China-aided mine clearance project in Cambodia has helped save many lives, reduce casualties, and alleviate poverty in the Southeast Asian country's rural areas.

Carried out by the Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC), the China-Aided Cambodia Landmines Elimination Project was divided into three phases from 2018 to 2025.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Khmer): RATH POTTANA, Director of the CMAC's planning and operation unit
"Approximately 210,000 families with nearly 1 million people in those affected communities have benefited from this mine-clearance project.
Now, they no longer live in fear of danger caused by landmines in their communities."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Khmer): SANG YON, Farmer
"This area was formerly a battlefield riddled with mines and unexploded ordnances.
Since the China-aided CMAC deminers have searched and cleared the mines here, I have not heard any mine incidents anymore."

SOUNDBITE 3 (Khmer): RY SAREOUT, Farmer
"Now, there are no more landmines. We are now safe to grow rice or other crops, and tractors can be used to plough farmland without fear of mines."
I'd like to thank China for providing assistance to CMAC to get rid of landmines in my village. Now, people are safe to make a good living."

According to CMAC, so far, it has released 10,945 hectares of the remnants of war contaminated areas, and found and destroyed around 78,000 pieces of landmines and unexploded ordnances as remnants of war.

SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): MA SHENGKUN, Deputy director general of the Department of Arms Control at China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs
"China-Cambodia mine clearance cooperation has become a crucial part of the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation between the two countries, demonstrating their joint commitment to the Global Security Initiative."

Cambodia is one of the countries worst affected by landmines and the explosive remnants of war (ERW).
   
The Southeast Asian country is committed to achieving a mine-free goal by 2025.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Phnom Penh.
(XHTV)