INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The year 2025 marked the "Cambodia-China Year of Tourism." Against this backdrop of deepening cooperation, Siem ReapAngkor International
Airport invested, built, and operated by Chinese enterprises has become a landmark project under the Belt and Road Initiative and a fresh
symbol of China-Cambodia friendship.As a flagship project of the cooperation between China and Cambodia, Siem ReapAngkor International
Airport officially began operations on October 16, 2023
It was designed according to international civil aviation standards and refined with Chinese technical specifications, showcasing the
integration of "Chinese standards" into global infrastructure and cooperation.The new airport was deliberately located away from the Angkor
archaeological site, effectively minimizing the impact of aircraft takeoffs and landings on these ancient monuments
This shift not only solves the cultural preservation challenges posed by the old airport's proximity to Angkor Wat but also reflects China's
commitment to protecting Cambodia's heritage a concrete example of sustainable development.The construction of the new airport also
addressed Cambodia's urgent need for upgraded aviation infrastructure.By the end of 2024, the airport had recorded 18,430 takeoffs and
landings, served over 1.7 million passengers, and handled 107.82 tons of cargo and mail
It has opened 17 routes across eight countries, steadily emerging as a strategic hub connecting South and Southeast Asia.In August 2024, the
China-Cambodia Cultural Corridor was inaugurated at the airport
A photo exhibition drew the attention of many travelers
World heritage sites from Yunnan including Honghe Hani Rice Terraces, Jingmai Mountain, the Three Parallel Rivers and Old Town of Lijiang
were displayed alongside Cambodia's Angkor Wat and the archaeological site of Koh Ker, showcasing a vibrant dialogue between the two
countries' rich cultural legacies.Through this "aerial Silk Road," elements of Yunnan and Khmer culture have blended and enriched one
another, reflecting the deepening of China-Cambodia cooperation.
