First published by : The Cambodian Daily Image : Khov Meng Heng
Techo International Airport : China funded mega project in Cambodia nears completion amid concerns
Techo International Airport, a massive Chinese funded infrastructure project under the Belt and Road Initiative, is slated to begin operations on September 9, 2025, according to China's state run Xinhua News Agency.
The airport, located in Kandal province, approximately 20 kilometers from Phnom Penh, is being constructed at a total cost of $1.5 billion. China will manage and operate the facility for 50 years to recoup its investment before transferring control to the Cambodian government.
Currently, 66% of the construction has been completed on the 2,600-hectare site, with 3,500 engineers working on the project. Once completed, the Techo International Airport will be classified as a 4F airport, capable of accommodating large aircraft such as the Boeing 747 and Airbus A380. The runway will span at least 3,000 meters, allowing aircraft to land and take off at speeds between 224 km/h and 261 km/h. China currently has only nine 4F airports, and Techo will join a select group of international counterparts including Changi (Singapore), Hamad (Doha, Qatar), Haneda (Tokyo, Japan), and now, Techo (Cambodia).
According to Civil Aviation officials, the new airport is expected to handle 13 million passengers annually by 2025, 30 million by 2030, and 50 million by 2050.
However, ongoing issues in Cambodia could deter potential tourists. Notably, during a religious ceremony at the Angkor Wat temple complex on May 16, a lightning strike killed and injured over 10 people. In response, Tourism Minister Thong Khon reportedly banned locals from sharing images of the tragedy on Facebook and YouTube, fearing it could negatively affect tourism. Critics argue that instead of silencing the public, officials should implement proper safety measures such as restricting access to high points during storms especially since Angkor Wat lacks modern lightning protection systems.
Meanwhile, Cambodia continues to grapple with human trafficking and cyber scam operations. In cooperation with ASEAN partners like Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore, the government is actively working to combat human smuggling operations that lure foreign nationals into forced labor in online fraud schemes, particularly in Sihanoukville.
Authorities have identified victims from Myanmar, Vietnam, China, Thailand, and Indonesia being detained and forced to carry out phone scams targeting their families. The Global Anti-Scam Organization recently published evidence in early May revealing the involvement of individuals connected to Cambodian police uniforms and insignia. Victims alleged that police officers were complicit in the operations and were bribed to turn a blind eye or even help move victims between locations.
In a meeting with an Indonesian delegation on May 20, Chu Bun Eng, Vice Chair of Cambodia’s National Committee for Counter-Trafficking, acknowledged the existence of such criminal activities within Cambodia. She emphasized, however, that authorities are not ignoring the issue. Nevertheless, questions remain about the possible collusion between law enforcement officials and criminal syndicates, and whether profits from these crimes are being shared among corrupt officials.
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