The New Silk Road runs through Cambodian schools

Cambodian Education Minister Hang Chuon Naron (C) cuts the ribbon to inaugurate a China-funded school building in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, July 16, 2015. Cambodia inaugurated a three-storey school building at the Indradevi High School in Phnom Penh on July 16, which was donated by China Foundation for Peace and Development.[Photo/Xinhua]

The new silk road, China’s attempt to “resurrect the ancient Silk Road as a modern transit, trade, and economic corridor that runs from Shanghai to Berlin,” is coming to Cambodian schools. Through grants from the China Foundation for Peace and Development, a soft-power arm of the Chinese government, new school buildings are being constructed. The first building was inaugurated yesterday and 10 more are scheduled to be constructed. Education Minister Hang Chuon Naron stated at the ceremony:

This building is a new testament to the excellent relations between Cambodia and China…It will contribute to developing education sector in Cambodia.