Leung Chun-ying, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and chairman of charitable organization GX Foundation, attended the inauguration of the Techo International Airport (KTI) in Cambodia on Monday.
He joined Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Pung Kheav Se, chairman of Cambodia Airport Investment Co and Overseas Cambodia Investment Corp, for the ribbon cutting.
Located in Kandal province, the Techo International Airport is about 19 kilometers from downtown Phnom Penh and spans an area of about 2,600 hectares. It is being developed in three phases.
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The project will cost $2.3 billion, including the construction of the main passenger terminal building, airfields, ancillary buildings, general aviation and permanent VIP terminals, and other supporting infrastructure for airport operations.
The 4F-level airport, the highest category in global aviation standards, began operations on Sept 9. It is being developed in three phases, with annual passenger handling capacities of 13 million for Phase 1, 30 million for Phase 2, and 50 million for Phase 3.
Leung, who is a former chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, expressed confidence that the SAR and Cambodia will experience expanded opportunities in trade, economic activities, and cultural exchanges.
Citing Hong Kong’s advantages under “one country, two systems”, he said the city will continue serving as a bridge, encouraging more enterprises from the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong to take part in Cambodia’s economic growth, particularly in transport infrastructure, smart urban development, and sustainable initiatives.
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This could contribute to strengthening Cambodia’s connectivity both regionally and globally, said Leung, stressing the city’s commitment to engaging in Cambodia’s infrastructure and regional cooperation.
Leung also said that the GX Foundation, which he founded, will continue its public health and humanitarian work in Cambodia.
In partnership with the Techo International Airport, the GX Foundation will launch the Health Risk Prevention Against Dengue Fever and Other Vector-Borne Diseases Project, aimed at improving local public health conditions and fostering people-to-people connectivity.
Contact the writer at kelly@chinadailyapac.com
