Phnom Penh, October 1, 2026 (Agencies) – Cambodia on Thursday officially inaugurated the China-funded National Road 10, a major infrastructure project aimed at boosting regional trade, tourism and connectivity after more than five years of construction.
Prime Minister Hun Manet described the 198.5-kilometre highway as a strategic route and a new economic lifeline for the country. The road links Samlout district in Battambang province with Khemarak Phoumin city in Koh Kong province, passing through Veal Veng district in Pursat province.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Hun Manet said the highway, which includes Cambodia’s tallest bridge, has transformed a rugged region of mountains, ravines and valleys, once a civil war battlefield, into an area with growing socio-economic opportunities.
“As a crucial economic artery, this road boosts connectivity from the northwestern region to the southwestern coastal region of Cambodia,” he said.
The prime minister noted that the new route has significantly reduced travel time, transportation costs and distances, helping to stimulate trade, logistics and tourism while improving the quality of life for local residents and travelers.
He said the highway would enhance livelihoods by providing a direct gateway from farms to markets and attracting more tourists to the region.
Hun Manet highlighted the project as a testament to close Cambodia-China cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), adding that it would contribute to building an all-weather Cambodia-China community with a shared future in the new era.
He also expressed gratitude to China for its continued support of Cambodia’s socio-economic development and poverty reduction efforts.
Minister of Public Works and Transport Peng Ponea said the road strengthens Cambodia’s internal transport network and facilitates the movement of goods, including agricultural and agro-industrial products, across the country.
He added that the highway would unlock the tourism potential of a region known for its scenic mountain gorges, valleys and streams, many of which have remained largely unexplored.
National Road 10 was constructed by China Road and Bridge Corporation and financed through a preferential loan from the Chinese government. Construction began in March 2020 and was completed in May 2025.