KAMPONG CHAM, Cambodia -- Cambodia on Thursday broke ground for the construction of a 22 kilovolt electricity transmission line in the country's eastern part.

The ceremony was presided over by Suy Sem, Cambodia's Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy, and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Pan Guangxue.

Speaking at the event, Suy Sem said the power transmission line will be built through four provinces including Kampong Cham, Prey Veng, Kampong Speu, and Preah Sihanouk.  

The construction is made possible under a concessional loan of $53 million from the Chinese government, he said.

"The project will provide large economic advantages to people in those provinces when it is completed," he said. "On behalf of the Government of Cambodia and myself, I'd like to profoundly thank China for its aid on the right target and right time to develop Cambodia's energy sector."

The minister said that China is the largest country that helps develop energy sector in Cambodia.

He added that in last December, the Sinohydro Corporation put into operations of the 193 megawatt Kamchay hydroelectric dam in Southwest Phnom Penh, and other four China-invested hydroelectric dams with a total capacity of 722 megawatts are being built and all expected to be completed by 2015.

Meanwhile, Pan Guangxue said the power transmission line project will benefit 4 million people in those provinces.

"China sees Cambodia as a good brother, neighbor, friend, and partner," he said. "All China's aid and investment in Cambodia are thanks to the good and close ties between our two governments."

He said China would continue its assistance to Cambodia in the economic and social development.

According the power transmission line master-plan, the China National Heavy Machinery Corporation is responsible for the construction and the project is expected to be completed in 2014.