The Chinese Ministry of Ecology and Environment, through Shenzhen Spark Co Ltd, provided equipment for reducing carbon dioxide emissions with a total value of $3 million to the Ministry of Environment.

The equipment includes 2,800 street lights, 200 solar panels, 200 electric motorcycles and 20 sets of tools for air quality control laboratory, according to the environment ministry.

Environment minister Say Sam Al received the equipment from Chinese ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian on December 21.

The equipment was provided through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Cooperation for a Low-Carbon Test Pilot Project signed in Preah Sihanouk province last year.

Through this cooperation, the environment ministry encourages all stakeholders to participate in activities to raise awareness on environment protection, strengthen capacity to mitigate the impact of climate change in Cambodia for clean, green cities which enable sustainable living.

During the handover ceremony held at the ministry in Phnom Penh, Sam Al thanked the Chinese ministry for providing the materials.

“This lighting equipment will be used in public places in Preah Sihanouk province, especially in schools, and will enable students to learn about solar appliances as well as help light up the gym,” he said.

Sam Al said the main goal is to get parents back to school to practice sports and have the opportunity to talk to teachers. The electric motorcycles and air quality monitoring equipment will be used at the environment ministry and monitoring station.

Chinese ambassador Wang said the material assistance would strengthen the relationship between the two countries and help Cambodia improve in the field of environment.

From 2015 to 2020, the environment ministry has signed MoUs and agreements with several key Chinese institutions, including the Cambodia-China environmental protection cooperation, the establishment of the Cambodia-China Environmental Cooperation Centre Preparatory Office, the donation of wastewater treatment equipment, and the pilot cooperation on biodiversity and ecosystem conservation.