Lancang-Mekong library treasure trove of knowledge for Cambodian students

The Star

7 hours ago

Primary school students read books at the Lancang-Mekong Book House at the Prek Leap Primary School in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on June 24, 2025. - Xinhua
PHNOM PENH: Lun Kanikaleak, a sixth-grade student at the Prek Leap Primary School here in the capital of Cambodia, was delighted to read books at a newly-established Lancang-Mekong Book House, saying that the library offered a wide range of useful books and learning materials for her studies.
Dressed in a common school uniform of a white shirt paired with a blue skirt, the 11-year-old student said she liked reading books in the library because they helped increase her knowledge and saved her time.
"I spend two or three hours per day reading books in this library," she told Xinhua on Tuesday (June 24). "This Lancang-Mekong library has improved my knowledge in mathematics, Cambodian literature, science and history, among others."
The Prek Leap Primary School is also the first public primary school in Cambodia that has provided Chinese learning to young learners.
Kanikaleak is one of Chinese learners at the school.
"Chinese proficiency will make it easy for us to find a job and to travel to China," she said. "When I grow up, if there is an opportunity, I'm keen to study in China."
Thang Kimhong, another sixth-grade student at the school, said he really likes reading both Cambodian and Chinese books in the library.
"I have gained a lot of new knowledge from this library," he said.
Kimhong said he also studied Chinese at the school.
Hong Chandy, acting principal of the school, said a total of 1,294 students and dozens of teachers at the school benefited from this library project.
"This library is important as it provides convenience to students in reading books and searching various topics such as Cambodian literature and folk tales," she told Xinhua.
Chandy said there are thousands of books including Chinese and English in the library.
"The library will help ignite students' reading interest and deepen their understanding of Chinese society and civilisation," she said.
She added that the collection includes Chinese governance philosophies, philosophical wisdom and the essence of traditional Chinese culture, making it a valuable resource for students' extracurricular reading.
Cambodian Senate's Second Vice President Thun Vathana said the library has importantly contributed to increasing knowledge for Cambodian students.
"The Lancang-Mekong Book House project in Cambodia has not only served as a treasure trove of knowledge for students, but also contributed to promoting the Lancang-Mekong cooperation," he said during the inauguration ceremony of the Lancang-Mekong Book House at the school on Tuesday.
Vathana said the initiative has also added new momentum to the Cambodia-China "iron-clad" friendship and the construction of a community with a shared future between the two countries.
He also encouraged young students to learn Chinese, saying that the language has gained popularity around the world.
Chea Munyrith, president of the Cambodian-Chinese Evolution Researchers Association, which coordinated the establishment of the library, said the library, the third in the South-East Asian country, has served as a vital platform for sharing Chinese wisdom and development experiences, and promoted the Lancang-Mekong cooperation and cultural exchanges. - Xinhua