STORY: Work on BRI-backed Mekong River bridge in Cambodia in full swing
SHOOTING TIME: May 23, 2024
DATELINE: May 28, 2024
LENGTH: 00:05:47
LOCATION: KRATIE, Cambodia
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. shot of the Mekong River bridge project
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Khmer): MAO VANCHHET, Cambodian welding technician
3. shot of the Mekong River bridge project
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Khmer): MAO VANCHHET, Cambodian welding technician
5. shot of the Mekong River bridge project
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (Khmer): MAO VANCHHET, Cambodian welding technician
7. various of the construction of Mekong River bridge project
8. SOUNDBITE 4 (Khmer): NHEOM VANNY, Khmer-Chinese interpreter at Mekong River bridge project
9. various of the construction of Mekong River bridge project
10. SOUNDBITE 5 (Khmer): NHEOM VANNY, Khmer-Chinese interpreter at Mekong River bridge project
11. various of the construction of Mekong biver bridge project
12. SOUNDBITE 6 (Chinese): CHEN HAOJIE, Engineering manager of Mekong River bridge project
13. various of the construction of Mekong River bridge project
14. SOUNDBITE 7 (Khmer): YEM SOPHY, Grocer
15. various of the construction of Mekong River bridge

STORYLINE:

Robed in a hi-vis vest and crowned with a yellow hard hat, Cambodian welding technician Mao Vanchhet is proud of working with a Chinese contractor to build a "historic" Mekong River bridge in northeast Cambodia, with funds from China.

Work on this large-scale Mekong River bridge, which began in March 2023, is currently in full swing. The bridge is scheduled to be completed on schedule in September 2025 by Shanghai Construction Group, as one of the projects under Belt and Road cooperation.

Vanchhet said it is a historic milestone for Kratie to have such a large-scale bridge across the Mekong River, adding that China has been bringing great changes to socioeconomic development in the province.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Khmer): MAO VANCHHET, Cambodian welding technician
"Working here has helped me improve my welding skills, providing me new experience and techniques that I have never known before."

He said working on such a huge project has not only given him invaluable experience, but also made him feel proud of having contributed to the construction of a landmark bridge for the residents in Kratie.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Khmer): MAO VANCHHET, Cambodian welding technician
"This bridge, when the construction is completed, will provide a lot of benefits to people, allowing them to cross the river conveniently."

Workers at the project are from China and Cambodia, and they have worked together well, with mutual help and respect, he added.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Khmer): MAO VANCHHET, Cambodian welding technician
"Cambodian and Chinese workers have good communication with each other during both on-duty and off-duty, and we always respect each other.
I would like to thank China for funding the construction of this river bridge, which will make it easier for people to travel and transport their products."

Nheom Vanny, a 37-year-old Khmer-Chinese interpreter at the Mekong River bridge project in Kratie province, said he is really happy to work on this bridge project, adding that it will make traveling across the river fast and convenient.

SOUNDBITE 4 (Khmer): NHEOM VANNY, Khmer-Chinese interpreter at Mekong River bridge project
"The bridge, when the construction is completed, will provide great benefits to people, facilitating their travel."

Vanny said during the construction period, the company has provided all employees free accommodation and meals, as well as decent wages.

SOUNDBITE 5 (Khmer): NHEOM VANNY, Khmer-Chinese interpreter at Mekong River bridge project
"I would like to thank China for having supported many infrastructure projects which have importantly contributed to Cambodia's development."

Chen Haojie, engineering manager of the Mekong River bridge project, said the bridge is 1,761 meters long and 13.5 meters wide, and currently 300 Cambodian workers are on this project.

SOUNDBITE 6 (Chinese): CHEN HAOJIE, Engineering manager of Mekong River bridge project
"As of today, 51 percent of the bridge has been completed. When the construction is completed, the bridge will connect the roads on both sides of the river and allow people on both sides to travel more conveniently."

Yem Sophy, a 30-year-old grocer living along a road leading to the bridge in Chetr Borei district, said currently, when people cross the river, they need to take a ferry, and for a single crossing, it costs 2,000 riels (50 U.S. cents) for a person and a motorcycle.

SOUNDBITE 7 (Khmer): YEM SOPHY, Grocer
"When the bridge is completed, we will be glad to cross the river.
It will provide a lot of advantages, facilitating our transport of goods across the river, and we will no longer need to ride a ferry."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Kratie, Cambodia.
(XHTV)