The 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) was held from May 5 to 17 in Cambodia, with the country hosting it for the first time in 64 years. Cambodia has treated the event as an opportunity to enhance its regional and international image.

▲ The Morodok Techo National Stadium, funded and built by China, serves as the major site for many events at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, which is held from May 5 to 17 in Cambodia. (PHOTO: XINHUA)

The Morodok Techo National Stadium, Cambodia's largest with a capacity of 60,000, took center stage during the games. It hosted the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as key events including football, swimming, and track and field competitions.

Funded and constructed by China, the stadium is hailed by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen as a symbol of the "iron-clad" friendship between the two nations. It stands as a flagship project under the Belt and Road Initiative, delivering tangible benefits through bilateral cooperation.

Designed to resemble a traditional Chinese sailing ship with two 99-meter "prow" structures, the stadium also draws inspiration from Cambodia’s “namaste” gesture of pressed palms. A surrounding moat mirrors the water features of Angkor Wat, integrating cultural and historical elements into its architecture.

Emphasizing sustainability and innovation, the design prioritizes natural ventilation, shading, and daylight utilization. Energy and water consumption are minimized, while low-maintenance materials reduce long-term operational costs.

In 2022, the project received the Global Best Projects Award from Engineering News-Record (ENR), widely regarded as the "Oscar" of the engineering industry. ENR commended the stadium’s complex formwork system and inclined cable-tower platform, noting its suitability for major international events, concerts, exhibitions, and conferences.

The Institution of Structural Engineers (ISE) praised the innovative cable-stayed tensile structural system used in the stadium. The ring cable connection method effectively addressed challenges related to differential cable forces, improving installation efficiency and structural reliability. ISE highlighted the project as a benchmark for creative structural engineering solutions.

Hun Sen expressed deep gratitude to the Chinese government, calling the stadium a gift from the Chinese people to Cambodia. At its 2021 inauguration, he stated, "This is an achievement made possible by the immeasurably good hearts of China's leaders and the Chinese people on behalf of the Cambodian people."