STORY: Cambodia begins to construct river bridge in capital with funds from China
SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 19, 2024
DATELINE: Feb. 20, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:49
LOCATION: Phnom Penh
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the ceremony
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Khmer): NOV RATHA, Resident in Phnom Penh
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Khmer): PRAK ESSRA, Resident in Phnom Penh

STORYLINE:

Cambodia on Monday broke ground for the construction of a bridge across the Bassac River in the southern part of the capital Phnom Penh, with funds from China.

The ceremony was presided over by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian and attended by officials, local authorities, residents and students.

The bridge, measuring 845.7 meters in length and 27 meters in width, along with an 804.3-meter connecting road, will be built by the Shanghai Construction Group under China's concessional loan and is expected to be completed in 42 months.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Khmer): NOV RATHA, Resident in Phnom Penh
"This new bridge project is very good for local people in this area because there is heavy traffic congestion on the two existing bridges.
As a Cambodian citizen, I'm really grateful to China for always supporting Cambodia, with no strings attached."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Khmer): PRAK ESSRA, Resident in Phnom Penh
"This bridge project will be very beneficial to me and other passengers as it will reduce travel time and ease traffic jams, contributing to the better development of the economy.
It currently takes a long time to cross the river because travelers need to take a detour through a bridge on the right side or another bridge on the left side."

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