KAMPONG THOM -- Cambodia on Wednesday inaugurated a 128-kilometer China-funded national road No 62 in an effort to boost social and economic development in northern provinces.

The road, from Kampong Thom province's Kampong Svay district to the provincial town of Preah Vihear province, cost about $52 million under a soft loan from the Government of China and was built by the Shanghai Construction (Group) General Company.

Prime Minister Hun Sen and Pan Guangxue, Chinese ambassador to Cambodia, presided over the inauguration ceremony, which was attended by top government officials, diplomatic corps, some 10, 000 locals and students.

"The road is a new achievement resulted from the good and close relationship between Cambodia and China," the premier said. "The road will help promote tourists to Preah Vihear temple and flows of goods in rural areas."

"On behalf of the government and people of Cambodia, I'd like to express sincere thanks to the government of China and its people for providing both grants and loans to Cambodia for social and economic development," he said.

Ambassador Pan said the Chinese government saw the development of roads and bridges as the key factors for economic development and poverty reduction in Cambodia.

So far, China has funded the construction of more than 2,000 kilometers of roads and bridges in Cambodia, he said.

"China saw Cambodia as a close and honest friend and it will still continue supporting this country in infrastructure development," the ambassador said.

The ambassador stressed that the government of China always sticks to its foreign policy in strengthening and expanding good cooperation with its neighbors and emerging economic countries.