Chea Serey, Governor of the National Bank of Cambodia, stated that China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has had a direct and positive impact on Cambodia’s rural population. She emphasized that roads built by China connect villages to schools and hospitals, significantly improving daily life and increasing public welfare. According to Serey, this cooperation reflects the “ironclad friendship” between China and Cambodia.
Serey also highlighted that the BRI partnership is based on mutual respect rather than imposition. “One lender may tell you to only eat bread and wear black clothes, while another allows you to spend freely and rationally. Which would you choose?” she asked, pointing out the flexibility and mutual respect underlying China’s approach.