China’s Transformative Role in Modernizing Cambodia’s Tanorn Village

In 2021, a China-funded poverty alleviation project revamped Tanorn village in Bati district, Cambodia, improving infrastructure and livelihoods significantly. Residents report increased business opportunities and better living conditions, marking a transition from poverty to a more prosperous lifestyle. The project serves as a model for poverty alleviation efforts in the region.

Since its initiation in 2021, a China-aided poverty alleviation project has radically transformed Tanorn village, located in Bati district, Takeo province, Cambodia. Previously isolated and lacking basic infrastructure, the village now boasts essential resources including roads, clean water, and electricity, affecting over 600 residents from more than 130 households.

Villager Por Sokhim noted a significant uplift in her family’s fortunes due to the initiative. Previously reliant on rice farming, her family has diversified into a grocery business and a motorcycle repair shop, all made possible by improved conditions. “In the past, it was difficult for us to do business because there were no good roads,” she explained. With the new concrete roads and utilities installed, business opportunities have flourished.

Another villager, Touch Seanghong, highlighted that the project alleviated many logistical barriers, noting how the new infrastructure allows seamless travel for residents selling their agricultural goods. The enhancements include solar power installations, multi-purpose buildings, and a clean water supply, significantly improving daily life. “We’re very happy because we have never got these achievements before,” he remarked.

Chea Munyrith, the planning and project director for the Civil Society Alliance Forum, emphasized the project’s far-reaching impact on health, education, and environmental conditions. With families moving into new concrete homes, the transformation signifies a shift to higher income lifestyles. “China’s aid has been increasing social modernization in Tanorn village, turning it into a model poverty alleviation village for other villages,” he stated.

Munyrith also praised China’s overall role in improving livelihoods in Cambodia and globally, reinforcing that such developmental efforts enable a promising path toward social modernization and prosperity across communities.

The China-aided poverty alleviation project in Tanorn village has brought significant advancements in infrastructure and quality of life for its residents. With improvements in roads, water supply, and electricity, the project has diversified livelihoods and fostered economic growth. The changes represent a model for poverty alleviation in other regions. Overall, the initiative underscores China’s commitment to enhancing living standards and social modernization in Cambodia and beyond.

Original Source: www.thestar.com.my