China's "no strings" approach to aid earned praise from Prime Minister

Hun Sen, at a groundbreaking ceremony for a new Chinese-funded bridge in Stung Treng

province on the Laotian border.

"The building of the bridge will promote social and economic development for

the mutual benefit of the triangle area of Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos," Hun

Sen said. The bridge, funded by Beijing, is being constructed by the Shanghai Construction

Group.

In April China pledged $600 million in new aid and loans to Cambodia, a figure $1

million less than the combined total of aid from all 17 Consultative Group (CG) members.

The Chinese donations are already taking effect, Hun Sen said.

The CG attaches strong conditions to the release of funds, requiring Cambodia to

improve its human rights record and take steps to combat corruption. China does not

link its aid to any improvements in governance.