KANDAL - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Monday that the Southeast Asian country will benefit from the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.

The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed in 2013, is a trade and infrastructure network that includes the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road to connect Asia, Europe and Africa. A $40 billion Silk Road Fund designed to finance the initiative has been launched.

"Cambodia hopes that it will be able to receive part of these loans for investing in its new infrastructure projects," Hun Sen said in a speech during an inauguration ceremony of a China-funded bridge here.

He also spoke highly of China's active contribution to economic development and poverty reduction in developing countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.