STORY: China-funded road boosts development in Cambodian capital
SHOOTING TIME: June 4, 2024
DATELINE: June 6, 2024
LENGTH: 00:04:48
LOCATION: Phnom Penh
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. aerial shots of the ring road
2. various of vehicles on the road
3. various of shops along the road
4. SOUNDBITE 1 (Khmer): NGUON VANNARA, Cafe owner
5. various of shops along the road
6. SOUNDBITE 2 (Khmer): SIM CHANNY, Grocer
7. various of shops along the road
8. SOUNDBITE 3 (Khmer): SIM CHANNY, Grocer
9. SOUNDBITE 4 (Khmer): KHOM SOKHE, Motorcycle mechanic

STORYLINE:

Stretching from Highway 1 to Highway 4, the China-funded third ring road has transformed the once-tranquil southern part of Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, into a bustling suburban area.

The 53-km road opened to the public in August last year. It has not only facilitated travel and transportation of goods but also importantly contributed to improving the livelihoods of local residents.

Nguon Vannara, 45, was formerly a farmer. After the road was built, she ran a cafe, which has significantly improved her family's living conditions.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Khmer): NGUON VANNARA, Cafe owner
"I'm happy because this road not only makes people easy to travel but also contributes to economic development. The road has facilitated people's travel smoothly and residents along the road can open shops."

The mother of four children is confident that her business will grow bigger in the future as more people will come to live along the road.

Sim Channy, a 37-year-old grocer, said her house was previously close to forests. After the road was built, she ran a grocery store.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Khmer): SIM CHANNY, Grocer
"It was very difficult in the past because we had to take a detour to another way that was full of mud, so when there was rain, local people rarely traveled anywhere."

Channy said currently many local people are running shops and businesses along the road.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Khmer): SIM CHANNY, Grocer
"This road has provided a lot of advantages. Local people can run businesses. For instance, I was previously unemployed. After this road was built, my husband and I have established a decent business, that has improved our living conditions."

Khom Sokhe, a 31-year-old motorcycle mechanic, said the previous road was narrow and it was quite difficult for local residents to travel to the city center.

SOUNDBITE 4 (Khmer): KHOM SOKHE, Motorcycle mechanic
"Previously, traveling from here to the Phnom Penh city center took very long time due to poor road conditions. After this ring road was built, it has helped shorten our travel time by 50 percent. Our travel is easier, and our business is better than before."

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