Chinese 
English
Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone hosts Belt and Road Initiative 10th Anniversary Exhibition
Published in: 2023-05-23
On May 22, the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone celebrated the opening of the Belt and Road Initiative 10th Anniversary Exhibition. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen graced the event with his presence. The ceremony was attended by Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian, Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Cambodia Wu Guoquan, Member of the Standing Committee and Minister of Propaganda of Wuxi Municipal Committee Li Qiufeng, as well as government leaders, guests, and nearly 30,000 employees from both China and Cambodia.
In his speech, Prime Minister Hun Sen expressed his personal connection with the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone, witnessing its birth and growth. He acknowledged the remarkable development of the zone in the past 10 years since the introduction of the Belt and Road Initiative. Currently, the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone has attracted 175 companies, created nearly 30,000 job opportunities, and contributed to the economic development of Sihanouk Province. He regarded the achievements of the zone as an important part of the cooperative outcomes between China and Cambodia under the Belt and Road Initiative. The comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Cambodia has continuously deepened and strengthened, with the unbreakable bond of friendship. This year also marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Cambodia as well as the Year of Cambodia-China Friendship. China has long supported Cambodia's development in various fields, and the fruitful cooperation between the two countries has genuinely benefited the Cambodian people.
Ambassador Wang Wentian mentioned in his speech that this year commemorates the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Cambodia, as well as the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. Under the joint efforts of China and Cambodia in building the Belt and Road, the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone has reached new heights and become a model project of pragmatic cooperation between the two countries. It serves as the "locomotive" driving the economic development of Sihanouk Province and the "golden rice bowl" for local residents' hard work and prosperity. He expressed his hope that the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone can seize the opportunities to construct a community of shared future for China and Cambodia in the new era. Efforts will be made to upgrade the zone to version 2.0, creating a new chapter in China-Cambodia economic and trade cooperation.
Zhou Haijiang, President of the China Association of Private International Economic Cooperation and Chairman of Hongdou Group, regarded the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone as an important cooperative project between China and Cambodia. Since its establishment, it has received great attention and strong support from leaders of both countries. Especially since the introduction of the Belt and Road Initiative, the zone has experienced rapid development, driving local economic growth, creating numerous job opportunities, and significantly improving the living standards and happiness index of the local population. The success of the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone is a vivid embodiment of the concept of win-win cooperation. It is believed that under the principles of consultation, construction, and sharing of the Belt and Road Initiative, both sides can fully leverage their advantages to provide strong impetus for the high-quality development of the zone.
After visiting and consoling the employees in the zone, Prime Minister Hun Sen, together with Ambassador Wang Wentian, toured the Belt and Road Initiative 10th Anniversary Exhibition at the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone. They attentively listened to the introduction of the remarkable developments in the zone given by Chen Jianguang, Chairman of the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone Company. Prime Minister Hun Sen expressed great satisfaction with the company's commitment to local engagement, fulfilling social responsibilities, and its role in promoting "Silk Road e-commerce" between China and Cambodia. Chen Jianguang stated that in the next phase, the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone will aim to accommodate 300 companies and establish a fully equipped ecological model park that will provide employment for 80,000 to 100,000 industrial workers. The zone will become a new highland for industries, a new urban center, and an economic powerhouse, actively demonstrating and leading the construction of a multifunctional economic special zone in Sihanouk Province and the "industrial development corridor" in Cambodia.
Subsequently, Prime Minister Hun Sen and Ambassador Wang Wentian jointly attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of General Tyre (Technology) Cambodia Co., Ltd. They also visited the production workshop. With an investment of USD 300 million, this project is currently the largest investment in the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone. Once fully operational, it is expected to produce 5 million semi-steel tires and 900,000 all-steel tires annually, providing employment for approximately 1,600 people. The company is anticipated to generate an additional revenue of 2.2 billion yuan and a profit of 250 million yuan.