On the morning of July 31, 2025, Hang Peou, director-general of the APSARA National Authority, and Lu Qizhi, director of the Chinese Embassy’s Consular Office in Siem Reap, presided over the formal opening of the eastern causeway at Beng Mealea temple.
The previously damaged causeway has been fully restored with funding from the Chinese government’s Lancang–Mekong Cooperation Special Fund, according to the APSARA National Authority.
Speaking at the opening, Lu Qizhi, director of the Chinese Embassy’s Consular Office in Siem Reap, said Cambodian and Chinese teams had worked together on the project to continue conserving and restoring ancient temples.
Lu said China’s assistance would extend beyond repairs to the eastern causeway. He said the Chinese government had already approved a second phase of assistance to continue conservation and restoration across the Beng Mealea temple complex.
Hang Peou, director-general of the APSARA National Authority, thanked the Chinese government for its support in restoring Beng Mealea. He said China had also helped restore several ancient Khmer temples at Angkor over the years, including Chau Say Tevoda and Ta Keo, and was helping restore Phimeanakas at the time.
Hang Peou said China’s funding and support for restoring Khmer temples showed how highly it valued cultural heritage as part of humanity’s shared legacy. He contrasted China’s support with the actions of those he described as biased, including the Thai army, which he accused of destroying Khmer heritage at ancient temples along the Cambodia–Thailand border, including Preah Vihear.
Preah Sihanouk Provincial Television | By ង៉ែត ពិសាន្ត
