China just gifted Cambodia a $150 million stadium that looks like a giant ship, and it's part of its 'stadium diplomacy' strategy.

[geovalin]

• China has gifted Cambodia a $150 million sporting stadium outside Phnom Penh.
• Designed to pay homage to Cambodian culture, the stadium is five stories tall and can seat 60,000 people.
• It's the latest in China's "stadium diplomacy" strategy of giving out sporting venues in exchange for influence.

 

Cambodia has received the keys to a brand new, $150 million stadium from China, the latest country to be gifted such a project as Beijing tries to build influence worldwide.

 

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi formally handed over the Morodok Techno National Stadium, which China financed and started building in 2013, to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Sunday, reported the Khmer Times.

 

At the handover ceremony, Wang said China funded the project because it was close friends with Cambodia, per the Times. Cambodia plans to use the stadium, located on the outskirts of capital Phnom Penh, to host the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in 2023.

 

https://www.insider.com/china-gift-cambodia-stadium-morodok-techno-diplomacy-photos-2021-9

[Srikcir]

Infrastructure projects like those in Thailand would better serve Cambodians, economic growth and attract foreign investment. This stadium "gift" is so North Korean.

[hotchilli]

16 hours ago, geovalin said:

Cambodia has received the keys to a brand new, $150 million stadium from China, the latest country to be gifted such a project as Beijing tries to build influence worldwide.

A Trojan horse more like.

[Denim]

17 hours ago, geovalin said:

giving out sporting venues in exchange for influence.

So not actually giving anything.

[Guderian]

And the only people in Cambodia with enough money to afford a ticket to get into the stadium are Chinese and their Khmer business and political associates!

[Isaan sailor]

COVID-19, loss of Mekong waters and now a ship stadium—the gifts just keep on coming.

[Mac Mickmanus]

The money would have been better spend on paving the roads , hospitals Schools  and other infrastructure , but I suppose that a stadium is more noticeable and memorable  

[PETERTHEEATER]

China just gifted Cambodia a $150 million stadium that looks like a giant ship, 

 

Thailand has one already moored in Sattahip. They call it an 'Aircraft Carrier. Cunningly hidden inside is a table tennis court.....

[JeffersLos]

Will be handy for public executions etc. 

[natway09]

Nothing is free, did your Father not tell you that ?