A ray of light for Cambodia’s ‘Gold Rush’ city

In the 4th of a 7-part BT-Lianhe Zaobao series on China and Asean, we look at the role of Chinese investors in the rise, fall, and recovery of Cambodia’s Sihanoukville province.

Daryl Lim

Published Sun, Jul 10, 2022 · 10:00 AM

China

CAMBODIA’S Sihanoukville province is a key strategic location in China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Its Special Economic Zone (SEZ), run jointly by China and Cambodia, has attracted 170 international enterprises and reported a trade volume of US$2.234 billion last year.

The SEZ has transformed Sihanoukville into a hub for textiles, leather goods and construction materials – but also turned the city into casino central.

After a 2019 ban on online and arcade gambling, followed by the Covid-19 pandemic, Chinese capital withdrew from the city. With the former hustle and bustle now a distant memory, is Sihanoukville – once known as the “Gold Rush” city – losing its shine?