Author: CPost

PEARLs of wisdom help to climate-proof Cambodian farms

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Soda Thai holds a photograph in her hand. She has a baby in her arms and is standing together with her husband in worn clothes. It was hard times, she remembers. “I did not have a job, house or land, and I even lacked the resources to start farming,” Soda describes. Eighteen years ago, she got by only because of social assistance from the Cambodian government.

Nowadays Soda owns a house and half a hectare of land. Her two children are at university, and she is vice-director of a successful agricultural cooperative in Kien Sangke Commune, Siem Reap Province.

“I earn a regular monthly income from selling products, including the vegetables I cultivate. I have also received a loan, which I intend to use to expand my agricultural business, by purchasing more land,” she adds proudly.

She credits the transformation to teaming up with other farmers the Sovatepheap Thoamacheat Agricultural Cooperative (‘Eco Farm’). The cooperative is located in the Tonle Sap basin, part of the flood plain of Tonle Sap Lake and the Mekong River during the monsoon season. This is one of Cambodia’s most important agricultural regions, but it is also the most vulnerable to floods and droughts. Experts say climate change will bring even more erratic rainfall and extreme weather events in the future.

“Climate change has had a profound impact,” vegetable farmer Soda notes. “Firstly, it has reduced our incomes because productivity has really declined. Secondly, there has been a surge in pests and diseases.”

She and her dedicated cooperative members have received training in how to access better climate information to inform their planting and be able to reach premium markets. This training comes as part of project known as PEARL.

Implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Government of Cambodia, with finance from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the PEARL project is improving the livelihoods of approximately 450 000 farmers on the frontlines of climate change in Cambodia.

As part of the project, Commune Agriculture Officers, trained by FAO, are supporting farmers in climate-resilient farming techniques and developing their business skills. Toeum Nguon, one Commune Agriculture Officer, is teaching Soda and her fellow farmers how to create a business plan so that “the community can meet all market demands through organized cultivation.” Crucially, it also helps the members to successfully apply for loans.

“In the case of vegetables, it’s about bringing the farmers together and connecting them with markets and ordering systems,” explains Rebekah Bell, the FAO Representative in Cambodia. “We are trying to grow crops that the market wants, that are the highest value options for the farmers. The cooperative model will then allow more of the value to be able to return to the farmers.”

The PEARL project has also been upgrading weather stations across the four provinces of the northern Tonle Sap basin and are now producing a monthly agrometeorological bulletin with weather forecasts tailored to major crops. These bulletins provide advice on climate-resilient techniques to avoid the worst impacts ahead of time. Nguon ensures Soda and her fellow farmers can access the bulletin on their laptops, tablets and phones.

Through this, Soda has learnt a sustainable solution to the surge in insects eating her vegetables. “We are now using natural pesticides as well as neem oil in the cooperative. We take precautions one to three weeks prior to the emergence of these pests,” she says, satisfied.

By bringing together the government, farmers and companies, the PEARL project is also helping to forge strategic partnerships that drive the buying, processing and selling of vegetables and high-value crops.

“During these discussions, we identify what are the challenges and opportunities, helping these farmers to resolve these issues with different actors on the value chain,” Davronjon Okhunjonov, FAO Technical Adviser in Cambodia notes.

In Damdek, an hour’s drive away from her farm, it’s lunchtime. A restauranteur is cooking and serving the fresh vegetables bought from Soda’s cooperative, as a key ingredient in many diners’ meals. Leaksrey Ly, the owner of the restaurant says, “Their vegetables are top-notch. They don’t use chemical fertilizers, only natural ones,” she emphasises. “The prices are reasonable.”

For Soda, the agricultural cooperative brings big rewards: “Once you become a member, you gather and sell your products together.”

By joining forces and accessing premium markets, Soda and her fellow cooperative members are building a more climate-resilient life and a food-secure future.

Source: FAO 

China Scientists Reveal Rust Minerals on the Moon

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Chinese scientists have identified rust minerals, specifically crystalline hematite and maghemite, in lunar soil samples returned by China’s Chang’e-6 mission from the Moon’s South Pole–Aitken Basin. This marks the first confirmed discovery of oxidized iron minerals on the Moon’s surface, overturning the longstanding view that the Moon’s environment lacks the oxygen necessary for such chemical reactions.

The research, conducted by a collaboration between the Institute of Geochemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Shandong University, shows that these minerals formed through oxidation processes triggered by asteroid impacts. Impact events generate intense heat that vaporizes surface materials, temporarily creating a high-oxygen vapor environment sufficient to oxidize iron ions and form rust-like minerals. This mechanism explains the presence of hematite coexisting with magnetic minerals in the lunar soil.

The discovery sheds new light on lunar geology and magnetism, offering a plausible explanation for observed magnetic anomalies in the South Pole–Aitken Basin. It also provides valuable insights into how large impacts have shaped the Moon’s surface and chemical evolution over billions of years.

These findings come from the first-ever samples brought back from the Moon’s far side by Chang’e-6 in June 2024 and were published in the journal Science Advances on November 14, 2025. The study strengthens the understanding of complex lunar surface processes that were previously thought impossible under the Moon’s airless, oxygen-poor conditions.​

US, UK sanction Cambodian conglomerate, alleging role in scam networks

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The U.S. and British governments on Tuesday announced a sweeping crackdown on cyber-scam networks in Southeast Asia accused of luring workers with fraudulent job ads or fake romantic relationships, forcing them to extract billions from people across the world through a range of deceptions, then laundering the money they received.

The U.S. Treasury Department said it had targeted 146 people in the Prince Group, a multibillion-dollar Cambodian conglomerate, including its 38-year-old leader Chen Zhi.

“The rapid rise of transnational fraud has cost American citizens billions of dollars, with life savings wiped out in minutes,” U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement. U.S. citizens lost $10 billion to Southeast Asian scammers in 2024 alone, the statement said.

Chen was charged with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering in an indictment unsealed Tuesday in a federal court in Brooklyn. The U.S. seized around $15 billion in bitcoin allegedly used in money laundering operations. In a statement, the U.S. Justice Department called the move its largest-ever forfeiture action.

British officials say they have frozen Prince Group assets that include a mansion, an office building and other properties in London, with a goal of “locking Chen and his network out of the UK’s financial system,” the U.K.’s foreign office said in a statement.

“The masterminds behind these horrific scam centres are ruining the lives of vulnerable people and buying up London homes to store their money,” U.K. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said.

An email sent to the Prince Group’s press inbox requesting comment was returned as undeliverable.

An RFA investigation last year detailed allegations of brutal treatment of workers at the Golden Fortune Science and Technology Park, a Prince Group-linked compound in Chrey Thom, a border town in southeast Cambodia.

Employees and former employees described workers enticed with promises of high-paying jobs who were allegedly confined and beaten if they underperformed or tried to escape.

RFA reporters charted the rise of Chen from his emigration from China to Cambodia, his founding of the Prince Group in 2015, its role in growing the coastal city of Sihanoukville into a haven for Chinese casinos, its deepening political connections and allegations of criminality.

The investigation also found that Prince Group moved millions of dollars around the world in a way that experts said bears hallmarks of money laundering.

Golden Fortune Resorts World is among the companies that were impacted by the U.S. and U.K. sanctions Tuesday. Also impacted were the Jin Bei Group, an entertainment and hospitality business that owns a casino in Sihanoukville and is alleged to also operate scam centers, and Byex Exchange, a cryptocurrency platform.

Source: RFA

Zaldy Co admits P100-B budget insertion, claims Marcos and Romualdez gave orders

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Embattled former lawmaker Elizaldy Co is attempting to come clean on the corruption allegations against him, admitting to inserting around P100 billion while also claiming it was done under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s orders. 

In a video sent to reporters on Friday, November 14, Co accused the administration of “exhausting all resources” to use him as a scapegoat in its anti-corruption campaign and that if he started talking, he would likely get shot.

“Ginagamit ng administrasyon ang buong resources ng bansa para tumahimik ako — that he will shoot me if I will talk and gagamitin ako bilang panakip butas sa kanilang kampanya laban sa korapsyon,” he said.   

(The administration is using all the country’s resources to silence me — that he will shoot me if I speak, and that they will use me as a scapegoat for their anti-corruption campaign.)

Co has been out of the country since July 19 for his medical check-up. He said he had plans on returning after Marcos’ State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28, but was immediately called up by Romualdez not to return just yet.

According to him, Romualdez’s message was along the lines of: “Stay out of the country; you will be looked after as the president instructed.” It was during this address that the president first ordered the investigations into anomalous flood control projects.

Co said he believed Romualdez at first, which is why he kept quiet and obeyed. What he didn’t know, he said, was that to be “taken care of” meant to be used as a fall guy instead.

“Ginawa nila akong poster boy ng kanilang sariling kasinungalingan. Ngayon hindi na ako mananahimik. Ilalabas ko ang lahat ng katotohanan — may resibo, may ebidensya at may pangalan,” he added. 

(They made me the poster boy of their own lies. Now I will no longer stay silent. I will reveal everything — with receipts, with evidence, and with names.)

Throughout the video, however, Co only insisted he was not the mastermind behind the mangled budget.

What Co says happened

In the five-minute video, Co recounted the events from his perspective. He said it began with a call from Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman in late 2024, when the bicameral conference process started. He said Pangandaman told him that the president had ordered the insertion of P100 billion in projects.

Co said Pangandaman even advised him to confirm the instruction with Usec. Adrian Bersamin of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office. Bersamin confirmed it with Co, since he was also in the same meeting as Pangandaman and Marcos, the former lawmaker said. Co then called Romualdez to relay the president’s directive, only to be told to comply with the order.

“Right after our conversation, tinawagan ko po si dating Speaker Martin Romualdez at nireport ko ang instruction ng presidente to insert P100 billion projects at sinabi niya sa akin, ‘What the president wants, gets,'” Co said.    

A meeting was later held in a Malacañang building with Pangandaman, Bersamin, House Romualdez and Department of Justice Usec. Jojo Cadiz. During the meeting, Co said Bersamin handed a list of projects worth P100 billion, which Cadiz said came directly from Marcos.

The list was delivered in a “brown leather bag,” which Co said reminded him of a time after the 2022 elections when he was with Romualdez and Marcos at the Hilton Hotel in Singapore. Right when they were about to return to the Philippines, Co said he remembers the president instructing his security not to forget a brown leather bag.

When working on the P100 billion insertion, Co said he asked Pangandaman and the others if only P50 billion could be added to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budget, arguing that a higher amount would surpass the education budget.

He said he was instead instructed to place the remaining P50 billion in the unprogrammed funds for the 2025 budget, “since it falls under the Office of the President,” which is also the office responsible for releasing the funds.

How much was misappropriated? Co’s office also gave a list of infrastructure projects that amounted to roughly P81.08 billion, and other programs, including the 2026 ASEAN Summit, which amounted to around P18.76 billion.   

Since then, he said he was told that all of the P100 billion should be added to the budget because it was “promised by Speaker Martin,” and cannot be changed. 

This is why Co said he finds it hard to accept Marcos’ statements denying involvement in the budget, when what he knows is that the budget department generally seeks the president’s approval.

The video is reportedly just the first of two parts, with the second still unreleased.

So far, Palace press officer Claire Castro, Presidential Communications Office Acting Secretary Dave Gomez and Pangandaman have rejected his claims. Castro outright called them lies during a press conference on Friday afternoon.   

Co under fire beyond budget issues

While Co is technically admitting to facilitating budget insertions during the bicameral conference for the 2025 budget, he also faces allegations of receiving kickbacks from flood control projects, in addition to his connections with top contractors.

These public works projects have been under investigation by the Senate and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, with many reportedly involving substandard materials or existing only on paper.

Co already has complaints filed against him with the Office of the Ombudsman and is expected to face formal charges soon.

PS. The original article on Micro News is submitted by 3rd party, read it at your discretion.

Trump Hosts Thailand-Cambodia Peace and Trade Signing in Kuala Lumpur

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KUALA LUMPUR, October 26, 2025 — President Donald Trump participated Sunday morning in the formal signing of a peace treaty, trade, and critical minerals agreement with the Prime Ministers of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Kingdom of Thailand during the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.​

The event, hosted at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, brought together Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to finalize what is being called the “Kuala Lumpur Accord.” The agreement officially concludes border tensions between the two Southeast Asian neighbors while establishing a framework for joint economic cooperation and cross-border trade recovery.​

President Trump, who mediated discussions between both nations following a brief but deadly border clash in July, commended the leadership of Hun Manet and Anutin for their “commitment to lasting peace.” The accord includes provisions on prisoner exchanges, landmine clearance, and the reopening of trade routes near the disputed areas, as well as new U.S.-facilitated initiatives to enhance infrastructure and agricultural cooperation.​

Alongside the peace agreement, the United States concluded new trade and critical minerals pacts with Thailand and Cambodia. The minerals agreement focuses on lithium, cobalt, and other key resources essential for advanced manufacturing, while Cambodia’s trade framework expands textile, agricultural, and technology exports to American markets.​

The ceremony concluded with all three leaders signing the documents and exchanging symbolic gifts. Trump described the day as “a moment of unity and hope for Southeast Asia,” marking the first major multilateral deal of his 2025 Asia tour, which will next take him to Japan and China later in the week.​

China accuses US of carrying out cyberattacks on national time center

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Zhang Tongin, Beijing
Published: 2:04pm, 19 Oct 2025

China’s top counter-espionage agency has accused the United States of conducting cyberattacks against the country’s national time center, which it said could have had a severe impact on the orderly functioning of society.

In a social media post on Sunday, the Ministry of State Security said the US National Security Agency was behind a number of cyberattacks against China’s National Time Service Center.

The center – affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and based in Xian, Shaanxi province – is responsible for generating and distributing China’s standard time.

It also provides highly precise timing services for the country’s communications, finance, power, transport, mapping and defense sectors.

The US embassy in China did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In Sunday’s statement, the ministry said the cyberattacks against the time center were “long-term, highly covert, and employed state-level cyberespionage tools”.

It said the NSA had exploited a security flaw that allowed it to secretly take control of the foreign-brand mobile phones of several staff at the time center and steal sensitive data.

According to the ministry this began in March 2022. In April the following year, it said the American intelligence agency began using stolen passwords to break into the time center’s computer systems and study its network.

The ministry said the cyberattacks intensified from August 2023 to June 2024. It claimed the NSA had used a new cyberwarfare platform with 42 specialized weapons to attack internal networks of the Chinese time center. It said the US agency had also tried to break into China’s high-precision ground-based timing system, which it claimed was done to potentially disrupt it later.

According to the statement, Chinese cybersecurity authorities had found that most of the US attacks had occurred late at night or in the early hours of the morning, Beijing time. It said the NSA had used virtual servers located in the United States, Europe and Asia as “springboards” to conceal the origin of the attacks, along with strong encryption algorithms.

The ministry said China’s state security agencies had found evidence of the attacks and guided the National Time Service Center to investigate, cut off the attack chains and upgrade its protocols to prevent future security breaches.

Li Jianhua, director of the National Engineering Laboratory for Information Content Analysis Technology at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, told state broadcaster CCTV on Sunday that US intelligence agencies were using a number of “springboard” servers in Europe, Asia, Africa, and countries surrounding China.

He said during their infiltration attempts, they frequently exploited “zero-day vulnerabilities” – or security flaws – so they could bypass intrusion detection systems in critical information networks.

“This type of cyberattack is considered a classic form of state-level cyber aggression, internationally referred to as an advanced persistent threat,” Li told the broadcaster.

“Its objectives include infiltrating, monitoring, disrupting or even destroying key infrastructure in other countries – posing a severe threat to any nation.”

Wei Dong, a senior official at the National Time Service Center, said in the same report that timing services were crucial – and even the tiniest error could lead to major problems.

He said if timing was a millisecond off it could cause a chain reaction of failures at power substations, leading to widespread blackouts.

According to Wei, if timing was a microsecond off it could trigger fluctuations to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars on international stock markets.

He told the broadcaster that if timing were out by a nanosecond it would throw off the BeiDou satellite navigation system by 30cm (11.8 inches) and disrupt mobile phone and internet services.

And he said even a picosecond off could result in a lunar spacecraft’s position being miscalculated by several kilometers, potentially preventing it from returning to Earth.

Koh Ker temple officially joins UNESCO World Heritage List

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Cambodia is celebrating a historic cultural milestone as Koh Ker temple has officially been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, marking a turning point for preservation and international recognition of the country’s ancient heritage. The landmark decision was announced during UNESCO’s 45th World Heritage Committee session in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, thrilling local archaeologists, officials, and communities who have long hoped for global acknowledgment of this uniquely Cambodian treasure.

A Temple of Deep History

Koh Ker, a site about 120 kilometers northeast of Siem Reap, was once the capital of the Khmer Empire in the early 10th century. Its most iconic structure is the seven-tiered pyramid known locally as Prasat Thom, a dramatically rising monument surrounded by dense forests, mysterious sanctuaries, and remarkable stone sculptures. While Angkor Wat has long dominated headlines, Koh Ker has quietly amazed visitors with its stark beauty, ambitious architecture, and storied past.

For years, conservationists and archaeologists have pushed to save Koh Ker’s fragile relics from the threats of looting, overgrowth, and exposure. Their work included painstaking restoration, improved security, and community engagement, ensuring that both local people and international visitors could experience the site’s wonders safely and respectfully.

UNESCO Recognition Brings Hope

The inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List is much more than a title. It brings promise of increased funding, technical assistance, and rigorous protection for the sprawling temple complex. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet praised the decision as “a proud moment for all Cambodians—past, present, and future,” calling Koh Ker’s recognition a tribute to the ingenuity of ancient Khmer civilization and a beacon for cultural tourism.

UNESCO’s assessment highlighted Koh Ker’s exceptional value: the temple’s architecture, urban design, and vast scope illustrate a distinct moment in Southeast Asian history, shedding light on the rise and fall of the Khmer Empire and its artistic mastery. For Cambodian historians and heritage advocates, international backing validates decades of effort and reaffirms the nation’s commitment to protecting irreplaceable heritage.

Local Impact and Community Spirit

The announcement was met with jubilation in nearby villages, where elders and children alike gathered for ceremonies and folk performances. “We are honored. Koh Ker is not just stone and earth—it is our ancestors’ spirit,” shared one local teacher who spent years guiding tourists through the overgrown pathways. Residents hope UNESCO status will bring infrastructure improvements, new job opportunities, and growing tourism, though some voice concerns about balancing authenticity and development.

Local nonprofits and government agencies are working together to train guides, upgrade visitor facilities, and promote sustainable tourism, ensuring that global attention translates into real benefits for residents. Already, more students are enrolling in heritage education programs and eco-friendly travel is gaining popularity.

Koh Ker now joins other renowned sites in Southeast Asia and boosts Cambodia’s standing as a leader in heritage conservation. Just this year, Cambodian officials submitted additional nominations for world heritage status, aiming to protect more uncelebrated marvels—from ancient cities to intangible traditions.

The temple’s official inscription comes amid wider efforts to repatriate looted Cambodian artifacts, fight antiquities trafficking, and reconnect communities with their roots. UNESCO officials emphasized that safeguarding sites like Koh Ker helps future generations understand the complexities and triumphs of Cambodia’s past.

Svay Rieng’s special economic zones rapidly expand job opportunities

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Svay Rieng, a province once known mostly for border trade and rural landscapes, is now attracting attention as a job creation powerhouse thanks to its rapidly expanding special economic zones (SEZs). Over the past year, local officials and industry observers have repeatedly described Svay Rieng’s SEZs as essential drivers for Cambodia’s industrial growth and employment, signaling major shifts in the economic fortunes of the entire region.

A Surge in Industrial Investment

The SEZs in Svay Rieng have become magnets for foreign and local investment, with factories and logistical hubs springing up at an accelerating rate. Investors from China, South Korea, Singapore, and other neighboring countries are flocking to Svay Rieng, enticed by favorable government incentives, reliable infrastructure, and proximity to important transport routes. According to recent statements by Vuthy, spokesperson for Cambodia’s Council for the Development of Cambodia, these SEZs are powering a new wave of industrial expansion—bringing in both capital and technical know-how that are creating thousands of new jobs for Cambodians.

Within the SEZ compounds, modern industrial parks house textile producers, electronics assemblers, packaging plants, and agro-processing centers. Many of these facilities operate with advanced machinery and digital controls, making them competitive on regional export markets.

Job Opportunities for All Ages

The biggest change for local communities has come in the form of employment. Where fields and small shops once dominated, there are now recruitment drives and training workshops to connect local youth and displaced workers with stable manufacturing jobs. Factory operators report heightened demand for workers at all skill levels—from quality assurance and logistics to engineering and finance.

Women are especially benefiting from the SEZ boom, finding roles in textile and electronics assembly where companies offer formal contracts, health benefits, and skills development programs. Vocational training centers, often run in cooperation with foreign partners, help young people obtain certifications in subjects like machinery operation, business English, and computer literacy.

Economic Ripple Effects

The job creation in Svay Rieng’s SEZs is having a ripple effect across the province. Local businesses catering to factory staff—such as housing, food stalls, and transport services—are popping up around the industrial zones, adding to the informal job market and fostering new micro-enterprises. Schools and health centers report rising enrollment as families gain stability and income.

Land prices have surged, and new residential developments are springing up in areas where factories operate. While some residents worry about environmental pressures and traffic congestion, most express optimism as incomes rise and young people no longer need to migrate abroad for work.

Cambodia’s National Growth Goals

The Cambodian government views the SEZ model in Svay Rieng as a blueprint for industrial expansion in other provinces. Officials are studying how to replicate tax incentives, fast-track permits, and upgrade utility infrastructure to encourage similar growth elsewhere. As of September 2025, the Council for the Development of Cambodia said that more than 560 investment projects across the nation were approved this year—most centered in SEZs—with expectations for hundreds of thousands of new jobs.

Despite these successes, local authorities and industry leaders are mindful of challenges. Labor organizers want continued improvements in workplace conditions and fair wages, while environmental groups call for responsible development and better pollution controls. The government is working to balance rapid expansion with inclusive planning, ensuring that economic gains are sustainable and widely shared.

In Svay Rieng, however, the optimism is palpable. “This is becoming a place where ambition meets opportunity,” said one local job recruiter. “People are returning to their hometowns for real careers, not just temporary work.”

Digital nomads highlight Cambodia as an attractive hub for remote work

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Cambodia is winning the hearts of digital nomads worldwide, emerging as a preferred destination for remote workers seeking a blend of affordability, culture, and comfort. In recent months, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap’s lively co-working spaces have seen an influx of global freelancers and online entrepreneurs, drawn by Cambodia’s welcoming lifestyle and exciting new opportunities.

Affordable Living and Dynamic Communities

One of the biggest attractions for digital nomads in Cambodia is the low cost of living. Popular cities such as Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Kampot offer rental rates and day-to-day expenses that are considerably lower than in many Western and Asian metropolises. Modern apartments, guesthouses, and boutique hotels cater to all budgets, with high-speed internet now common in most urban areas. Nomads often mention that they’ve been able to improve their work-life balance thanks to Cambodia’s relaxed pace and reasonable cost structure.

Beyond affordability, a strong sense of community appeals to remote workers. International co-working spaces like Emerald HUB in Phnom Penh and Garage Society in Siem Reap regularly host networking events, workshops, and social evenings. These venues foster connections between freelancers, entrepreneurs, and local professionals, helping new arrivals ease into Cambodian life and learn from others’ experiences.

Visa Flexibility and Remote Work Support

Cambodia’s long-stay and flexible visa policies rank highly for digital nomads. The country’s “ordinary” (E-class) visa can be extended for several months or a year, making long-term remote work both feasible and straightforward. Compared with more restrictive rules elsewhere in Southeast Asia, Cambodia’s open approach draws attention from remote professionals tired of frequent border runs and visa complications.

Government officials and city planners are keenly aware of the remote work trend. Discussions have emerged regarding new visa categories specifically aimed at digital nomads, along with regulatory reforms that encourage investment in tech infrastructure. Fast and reliable internet service—a must for any digital worker—is becoming more available across the country, thanks to expanding fiber networks and upgraded telecom services.

Many nomads describe Cambodia as an ideal place where work blends seamlessly with rich cultural experiences. Mornings often start with coffee at a riverside café, followed by focused hours in a co-working hub. After work, the country’s historic sites, bustling markets, and lively nightlife provide no shortage of outlets for fun and exploration.

For those seeking nature, destinations like Kep’s tranquil beaches or Mondulkiri’s forests offer quick escapes from urban hustle. Adventure sports, guided tours of Angkor’s temples, and cycling trips through rural villages fill weekends with memorable activities. The country’s warmth isn’t just in the temperature—it’s also in the smiles and hospitality of Cambodians, who embrace foreign professionals as part of the local scene.

A Magnet for Innovation and Opportunity

Startup founders and tech innovators are increasingly drawn to Cambodia, spurred by recent success stories and the country’s growing entrepreneurial spirit. Phnom Penh has become an incubator for new apps, fintech projects, and creative ventures, with local accelerators offering support and mentorship. Investors keep an eye on Cambodia’s digital talent pool and its rapidly maturing consumer market, often seeing it as a gateway to Southeast Asia.

For many digital nomads, Cambodia is more than just a base for remote work. It’s a place for new beginnings—whether starting a business, scaling up freelance projects, or simply enjoying a more balanced way of life. With every year, the country carves out a clearer role as a hub for remote professionals and creative thinkers from around the world.

ASEAN-China Building Technology Exhibition Kicked Off in Guilin, Guangxi

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Intelligent Construction Paves the Way for a New Future of Regional Cooperation

On September 15, the ASEAN-China Building Technology Exhibition opened at the Guilin International Conference and Exhibition Center in South China’s Guangxi. Under the theme “Building a Smart Future, Sharing a Better Life – China and ASEAN Join Hands to Create a Model for Human Settlements”, the exhibition showcased cutting-edge urban construction technologies and the outcomes of cooperation with ASEAN countries.

The ASEAN-China Building Technology Exhibition was one of the supporting events of the 2025 ASEAN-China Ministerial Roundtable on Construction. It was jointly organized by the Science and Technology and Industrialization Development Center of MOHURD, the Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and the Guilin Municipal People’s Government. The exhibition brought together 22 companies from six ASEAN countries, including Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Laos, as well as 41 Chinese companies comprising Fortune Global 500 companies, listed companies, and industry leaders.

Smart Living: Tech-empowered Future Homes
The “Quality Housing” exhibition area presented a comprehensive solution for safe, comfortable, green, and smart living. A highlight was the green, smart home model, built around the building-vehicle-grid (BVG) integration concept. Steel-structured prefabricated intelligent construction demonstrates safe and stable design. Fully integrated smart home technologies showcase an intelligent, connected living environment, while interactive BVG systems illustrate green, energy-efficient practices. Assembled from four modular units in just 21 days, the model sets a new benchmark for green, low-carbon, intelligent, and safe housing.

Intelligent Construction: Tech-driven Innovation in Building
The intelligent construction exhibition area highlighted the latest technological innovations in the building industry. Shenzhen BrightMaster Robotics Co., Ltd. exhibited 12 types of construction robots, including indoor spraying robots and floor grinding robots. Its intelligent construction services are now operating nationwide in China and have also reached ASEAN markets, including Vietnam.

The Fourth Engineering Co., Ltd. of CCCC First Highway Engineering Co., Ltd. presented its “machine vision-based automatic rebar tying technology”, which operates three times faster than traditional manual methods.

Smart Urban Development: Tech-enabled Urban Management
In the smart urban development exhibition area, China Railway 18th Bureau Group Co., Ltd. showcased its “bamboo-winding utility tunnel”. This new type of underground utility tunnel is lightweight, corrosion-resistant, earthquake-resistant, and settlement-resistant, making it particularly suited to the climatic and environmental conditions of ASEAN countries. It has already been applied in projects including the South Bank District Irrigation of Xiaolangdi Multipurpose Dam Project and the rain-sewage pipeline network in Yulin, Guangxi.

Urban Safety: High-Tech Solutions Enhance Urban Resilience
The urban construction exhibition area showcased technologies for disaster prevention, mitigation, and emergency response.

Fujian Qiaolong Emergency Equipment Co., Ltd. presented its “Long Xi Shui” series of drainage and emergency vehicles. Designed for the heavy rainfall and typhoon-prone conditions of Southeast Asia, these vehicles provide multiple capabilities, including remote water supply, high-capacity drainage, and mobile dredging.

ASEAN-China Cooperation: Sharing Achievements in Technological Innovation

The exhibition served as a key platform for policy, technology, and talent exchange between China and ASEAN in the building sector. Chinese construction technologies have already been successfully applied in projects such as the Kuala Lumpur Signature Tower and Siem Reap International Airport. As urbanization progresses across the region, collaboration in intelligent construction and green building is set to deliver innovative solutions for tackling climate change and promoting sustainable development.

International Response: ASEAN Countries Recognize the Value of the Exhibition

After visiting the exhibition, Chu Jian, a fellow of the Academy of Engineering Singapore, commented, “I saw construction robots and artificial intelligence at work across the building process, including in intelligent monitoring. ASEAN countries, including Singapore, can look to these Chinese innovations for guidance and inspiration.”