China-funded airport opens in Cambodia with more projects to come

Belt and Road highways, ports and railways also planned, raising local concerns

20231116N Cambodia 1

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet speaks during the opening ceremony for the Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport on Nov. 16. (Photo by Yuji Nitta)

YUJI NITTA, Nikkei staff writer

SIEM REAP, Cambodia -- The China-funded Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport officially began full operations Thursday, amid mixed feelings in Cambodia about the project and China's growing influence.

The facility is more than triple the size of the former airport that served Siem Reap, the gateway to the Angkor Wat temple complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Cambodia's top tourism draw. Passenger capacity has been increased about 40% to 7 million people.

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