Phnom Penh (FN), Feb. 8 - The Chinese government has announced that China does not support its citizens who want to build China Town and a casino in Cambodia in an attempt to attract Chinese gamblers, Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Xiong Bo said in a press conference, held at Embassy of China, Phnom Penh on February 7, 2018.

The Chinese ambassador's remarks came after hearing some comments that Sihanoukville's future may become China Town, as Chinese people have invested and rented many houses and lands to live and run business in the coast.

The ambassador also strongly denounced any Chinese who want to build casino in Cambodia, in particular to lure Chinese as a group to Cambodia for gambling. He said that drawing Chinese people to play such games would hurt Chinese interests and called on Chinese people to stay away from gambling.

The Chinese government has insisted that it does not allow its people to use Cambodian territory to commit crimes that are detrimental to China-Cambodia relationship.

According to the governor of Sihanoukville province, there are 6,385 foreigners currently living in Sihanouk, 4,498 is Chinese.

According to the Ministry of Tourism, Cambodia welcomed 5.6 million international tourists in 2017. Chinese is the top visitor, accounting for 1.2 million.
=FRESH NEWS