China investing in Angkor Wat

SIEM REAP- A few days ago, Cambodia’s Apsara Authority signed a Memorandum of Understanding with China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation on a project looking at creating sustainable management and development of UNESCO list World Heritage Site of Angkor and its surroundings.

The deal was inked between Bun Narith, director general of Apsara Authority, the public authority in charge of managing Angkor complex and Liu Zhiming, China Civil  Engineering Construction Corporation Chairman. The signature was watched by Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Cabinet Minister Sok An, showing the importance Cambodia gives to the deal.

"This partnership is very significant and timely as it responds to the contemporary issues of Angkor, which requires not only conservation, but also green and sustainable development," indicated the Minister during the signing ceremony.

Apsara Authority will then be able to find more sustainable solutions to the management of water resources and the protection of the nearby Kulen Mountain, another heritage-rich area with numerous archeological vestiges. Feasibility studies about a sustainable development of the area will be initiated.

CCEC Corp. Chairman Liu Zhiming explained that his firm was pleased of helping Cambodia to preserve Angkor heritage: “We are willing to make our contribution to the conservation and sustainable development of Angkor temples and the Siem Reap region”.

The company is specialized among others in construction as well as the management of hotel and tourism facilities. However, beyond the nice wordings, it seems already certain that the Chinese company is looking to maximize its investments into the preservation of Angkor by identifying “development niches” aimed at bringing a rapid return on benefits. The engaged feasibility studies are not just motivated by an endless passion for Angkor culture and heritage…

“After the studies, specific projects will be suggested to the Apsara Authority for them to take into consideration,” explained Sok An in an official statement. “The studies are very important for checking obvious possibilities before suggesting the best option for investment and to guarantee that we achieve development that doesn’t have any negative impact on conservation,” he continued.

There is little concern that anything would be construct within the protected perimeter where the temples are located. But the buffer zone could be the next target for development. They are already talks about a potential theme park as well as new hotels. Any new development in the historical park or the buffer zone with Siem Reap city is submitted to the International Coordinating Committee of Angkor, a meeting where specialists and experts gather to evaluate the impact of any new development over Angkor.

The complex of temples was incepted into the World Heritage List dressed by UNESCO back to 1992. Siem Reap received last year over 2.06 million of international travellers, of which at least 50% would visit Angkor temples.

Sourced: TravelDialyNews