Cambodian PM meets with Chinese technicians on main stadium construction

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Friday met with a group of Chinese technicians on the construction of a China-funded main stadium on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, a spokesman said.

The delegation was led by Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Bu Jianguo.

The prime minister said the stadium would be built in the shape of an ancient Chinese sailing ship, explaining that the Cambodian government decided to choose this architectural style because the sailing ships were meaningful for the relations between China and Southeast Asian countries, said Eang Sophalleth, a spokesman for Hun Sen.

"In the Chinese history, China communicated with Southeast Asian countries by junks, and China has recently initiated the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and the Silk Road Economic Belt (initiative). These are the reasons that Cambodia decided to construct the junk-shaped stadium," the spokesman quoted the prime minister as saying during the meeting.

The stadium is part of the Morodok Techo National Sport Complex, which is located on an 85-hectare site inside the Garden City in Russei Keo district, about 15 km north of central Phnom Penh.

It is intended to be the centerpiece of venues as Cambodia is to host the Southeast Asian Games in 2023, as well as other international sports events.

Ambassador Bu said that China was very pleased to contribute to helping Cambodia in the development of sports.

She said the stadium, to be surrounded by a moat and green environment, will have a capacity of about 60,000 spectators.

Construction of the stadium will start soon and is expected to be completed by 2020. Enditem