by Voun Dara

PHNOM PENH (The Phnom Penh Post/ANN) - An information centre for Chinese nationals and a Chinese consulate will be established in Sihanoukville.

An information centre for Chinese nationals and a Chinese consulate

will be established in Sihanoukville following a meeting between new

provincial governor Kuoch Chamroeun and Chinese ambassador Wang Wentian,

provincial spokesperson Kheang Phearum told The Post on Sunday.

During Thursday’s meeting, Chamroeun requested Wentian to help with

the establishment of the information centre and Chinese consulate,

Phearum said.

“Provincial governor Kuoch Chamroeun requested the establishment of a

consulate and a Chinese information centre to raise awareness of

Cambodia’s laws among Chinese nationals living and investing in Preah

Sihanouk province.

“The aim is to help them learn about Cambodia’s culture and laws,” Phearum said.

He said the Chinese ambassador agreed to the governor’s

request, but a date for the establishment of the consulate and centre

had yet to be set.

“The ambassador just said he would urge that they are established soon,” he said.

Phearum said that to facilitate the process, the Chinese Embassy had

also initiated a “safe Preah Sihanouk province scheme” which includes

training in security arrangements and the use of technical materials for

Chinese nationals in the province.

“When a consulate is established in Preah Sihanouk province, it means

there will always be someone there to provide accurate information and

statistics about Chinese nationals living in the province."

“A consulate will also make it easier for Chinese investors and

tourists when issues arise in terms of security or other pressing

concerns,” he said.

In a Facebook post on Friday, the Chinese Embassy said during the

meeting between Wang and Chamroeun, both sides exchanged views on local

collaboration between China and Cambodia and further promoted the

construction of a new Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone.

Cambodian National Research Organisation director Sok Sokhom said the

establishment of a consulate and an information centre for Chinese

nationals in Preah Sihanouk province and other provinces would ease the

solving of any issues that arise in each target area.

“By working closely together, it shows a concerted effort to resolve the issues that are bound to arise in the target areas."

“If there continues to be no consulate like in the past, when there

are issues, only Cambodian officials themselves in the area can enforce

the law – without the participation of partner countries’ law

enforcement agents.

“So when a consulate is established, joint mechanisms will be devised to achieve common goals and solve issues,” Sokhom said.

He said it is important that foreigners who come to invest respect Cambodia’s legal principles.

Data released earlier this month by Preah Sihanouk provincial

authorities showed that more than 90 per cent of businesses in

Sihanoukville, including hotels, casinos, restaurants and massage

parlours, are currently owned by hundreds of Chinese nationals.