PHNOM PENH, July 19, 2024 — Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol, also the First Vice-Chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, joined Prime Minister Hun Manet and Mr. Wang Vinpin, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Cambodia, for the official inauguration of the "Xi Jinping Boulevard" on the Third Ring Road this morning. The event also saw the participation of Peng Po Na, Minister of Public Works and Transport.

The Third Ring Road was officially named "Xi Jinping Boulevard" on May 28, 2024, during a ceremony held at the Peace Palace, underscoring the enduring and evolving relationship between Cambodia and China. According to Minister Peng Po Na, the naming symbolizes the deep gratitude and respect of the Cambodian government and its people for President Xi Jinping's contributions to Cambodia's peace, stability, and economic growth.

Spanning 47.10 kilometers, Xi Jinping Boulevard serves as a critical artery through Phnom Penh and Kandal Province, linking major roads and contributing to the regional network by connecting with ASEAN Highways 1 and 11, the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway, and the under-construction Phnom Penh-Bavet Expressway. The boulevard was first opened on August 3, 2023, with Hun Sen, the former Prime Minister and current President of the Senate, presiding over the ceremony.

Since its opening, the boulevard has significantly alleviated traffic through Phnom Penh by offering a direct route through the region, enhancing connectivity, reducing congestion, and shortening travel times. The development has also spurred economic activity along the corridor, with increased logistics, industrial, and residential developments transforming the area into a bustling economic zone.