Chinese book fair attracts scores of Cambodian students

Throngs of Cambodian students from various Chinese schools flocked to see the fifth edition of a Chinese book fair on Monday, seeking reading books which are helpful to their studies.
Held at the Peace Book Center in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, the three-day event exhibited more than 2,300 Chinese- language books, covering a wide range of themes, including Chinese literature, history, economy, culture, health, agriculture, and technology.
Yeak Tyhok, 17, a high school student at the Duan Xua Chinese School, said the fair gave him an opportunity to look for reading books that are useful to his studies.
"The exhibition is a very important event for Chinese learners in Cambodia because a lot of reading books in various subjects are available," he told Xinhua. "I'm keen to read books related to Chinese history, culture and folktales."
Heang Pov Yi, 17, also a high school student at the Duan Xua Chinese School, said the annual fair would also serve to promote Chinese language and culture in the Southeast Asian nation.
"I like this fair because many kinds of Chinese books are on exhibition, particularly those pertinent to health and fairytales, " she said.
The event was organized by the Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, with the support from the Embassy of China in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and the Cambodian Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts.
"The fair aims to help Cambodian students to seek Chinese books that are important to their studies," Long Yi, a senior official of the administration, said at the opening ceremony of the fair. " I have confidence that through the event, more Cambodian students will learn about Chinese history, culture and development."
Li Zhigong, political councilor of the Embassy of China in Cambodia, said the exhibition was essential to enhance educational and cultural relations between China and Cambodia.
"More and more Cambodians are eager to learn the Chinese language and culture," he said. "I believe that such a Chinese book fair will help fulfill their desire to access information about China and Chinese culture."
Khim Sarith, secretary of state at the Cambodian Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, said Chinese language was very popular in Cambodia thanks to excellent ties between Cambodia and China and growing demand in the job market.
"There are a lot of job opportunities with high pay for Chinese- speaking Cambodians because many Chinese companies are doing businesses here," he said.
He said the expo reflected close and friendly relations between the peoples of the two countries and promoted Chinese culture, civilization, customs, and traditions to Cambodian people.
"It will further contribute to enhancing people-to-people relations between the two countries," he said.