A major road in Cambodia’s capital city of Phnom Penh has been named Xi Jinping Boulevard in honor of the Chinese president.

The announcement on May 28 was made by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet during a naming ceremony at the Peace Palace, which was also presided by Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian, according to information released on the Chinese embassy’s website.

With two lanes for traffic in each direction, the 53-kilometer road stretches from the Win-Win Boulevard Roundabout in southwestern Phnom Penh to National Road 1 in Kandal province in the east of the capital

Looking back at the traditional friendship between Cambodia and China, Hun Manet said the bilateral relations have entered their best period in history with the support of Xi and Cambodian leaders.

READ MORE: China and Cambodia are ironclad friends, Xi tells Hun Manet

The renamed boulevard was constructed by Chinese company Shanghai Construction Group, along with two river bridges and two flyovers, within a span of 52 months. It was inaugurated in August 2023.

With two lanes for traffic in each direction, the 53-kilometer road stretches from the Win-Win Boulevard Roundabout in southwestern Phnom Penh to National Road 1 in Kandal province in the east of the capital.

In order to thank Xi for his contributions to Cambodia’s development, the Cambodian government decided to rename the Third Ring Road, which connects National Road 1 and National Road 4, as Xi Jinping Boulevard， according to the prime minister. Together with the existing Mao Zedong Boulevard in Phnom Penh, this emphasized the long-lasting friendship between the two countries.

In a post on social media platform X, Hun Manet said that the long-lasting Cambodia-China relations have reached a level that is inseparable and the relationship embodies the value of mutual trust, especially political trust.

“China’s assistance to Cambodia has not only helped socio-economic development, but also strengthened Cambodia’s political independence, Hun Manet wrote.

Citing examples of major projects such as the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone, the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway and the Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport, Hun Manet said the Belt and Road Initiative, which was proposed by Xi in 2013, has greatly contributed to Cambodia’s development.

China is willing to work with Cambodia along the road of iron-clad friendship and open up a brighter future for the China-Cambodia community with a shared future in the new era

“So far, our Chinese friends have helped construct nearly 4,000 kilometers of roads in Cambodia,” said Hun Manet.

Noting the Mao Zedong Boulevard was named by the late Cambodian King Father Norodom Sihanouk in 1965, Chinese Ambassador Wang said that the naming of the Xi Jinping Boulevard 60 years later by Hun Manet will become a milestone in the time-honored relations between the two countries.

READ MORE: Xi congratulates Cambodia's Hun Sen on election victory

China is willing to work with Cambodia along the road of iron-clad friendship and open up a brighter future for the China-Cambodia community with a shared future in the new era, said Wang.

Chea Munyrith, president of the Cambodian Chinese Evolution Researcher Association, said Cambodia’s announcement to name the road as Xi Jinping Boulevard symbolized the bilateral friendship over 66 years.

“This year also marks the Cambodia-China People-to-People Exchange Year so this may attract more Chinese tourists to come to Cambodia,” Chea told China Daily.

Contact the writer at kelly@chinadailyapac.com