CDAC (1): Chinese dream makers in Cambodia

The Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations (CDAC) opened in Beijing on May 15, during which a sub-forum on the youths’ role in inheriting Asian civilizations will be held.

In Cambodia, a group of Chinese youngsters are chasing their dreams there, contributing to cultural exchanges and economic cooperation between China and Cambodia.

Bi Jiwen: a builder aged 28

When I first came to Cambodia, I felt it hard to adapt to life here. It is hot, and I used to get heatstroke. The construction sites were in the suburbs, and I had trouble in taking with locals. 

However, the tasks were loaded, and I managed to overcome the difficulties thanks to teamwork. I succeeded in doing my job. So far, I’ve worked for the Cambodian project by Yunnan Construction and Investment Group for more than a year. I got a tan, feeling great. 

Zhang Li: an engineer aged 30 

I’ve lived in Cambodia for three years, and in my field work I encountered vipers and dangerous mines. I work for Cambodian power-transmission projects by Yunnan Power Grid Corporation.

After graduating from Kunming University of Science and Technology, I’ve joined in building the third and fourth phases of the power grids in rural Cambodia, as well as the 230KV transmission lines for a Cambodian Hydropower project. Now I am involved in construction of the power grid in eastern Cambodia.

Li Yan: teaching in Cambodia for 10 years 

I came to Cambodia in 2009 to work as a teacher at the Chinese Department, which is a cooperative project between Dali University and the Royal University of Phnom Penh.

Now I am married here with a child. Every day, I get up at 6:00 a.m. to cook breakfast. At 7:30, I send my 4-year-old son to the kindergarten. Then I rush to the university to teach Chinese. So far, I’ve taught 600 plus Cambodians, most of whom got good grades and are able to speak good Chinese.

Reporting by Shen Yan (Khmer magazine); trans-editing by Wang Shixue