China pledges $400m in Cambodian aid

China pledges $400m in Cambodian aid

CAMBODIA: Cambodia's foreign minister said on Friday that China
has pledged more than US$400 million in aid and investment to the
impoverished country for projects including a hydropower plant.

The agreements were signed last week when Prime Minister Hun
Sen held talks with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on the sidelines
of a regional summit meeting.

The meeting "has resulted in more than $400 million for our
nation," Foreign Minister Hor Namhong told reporters. "This is
colossal."

China's pledges include a US$300 million investment to build a
hydropower plant in southwest Cambodia, Hor Namhong said.

Cambodia in May awarded a state-run Chinese company the
contract to build the plant, which will produce 180 megawatts of
electricity.

China will also provide more than $40 million to build a new
office complex for Cambodia's prime minister and US$60 million to
purchase patrol boats to combat smuggling and drug trafficking.
-- AP