Chinese president inspects restoration work for Takeo in Angkor complex

Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao shakes hands with a staff member during his inspection at the site of a restoration project assisted by the Chinese government on the ruined Takeo temple in the complex of the Angkor Archaeological Park, Siem Reap, Cambodia, April 1, 2012. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

SIEM REAP, Cambodia, April 1 (Xinhua) -- "The Angkor Wat is a gem of human civilization and a valuable treasure of the Cambodian people," visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao Sunday told Chinese technicians working on a restoration project in the Angkor Archaeological Park in Cambodia.

Inspecting the China-assisted restoration project on the ruined Takeo temple in the famous Angkor complex in northwest Cambodia, Hu said the governments of both countries "have great faith in you when you were given the formidable job of restoring the Takeo temple."

"I hope you will overcome all the difficulties and accomplish the task with solid work," the president said.

The restoration project of the Takeo temple, which was built by King Jayavarman V and Suryavarman I from the late 10th century to the early 11th century, is the second phase of the Chinese government assistance in restoring Angkor activities.

The project kicked off in November 2010 and is expected to be completed in 2018.

At the working site, Hu talked with Chinese and Cambodian archaeologists, applauding their progress in restoring and conserving the Takeo temple, one of the most popular temples in the Angkor area, in harsh environments.

"I hope you will help revive the ancient civilization created by the Cambodian people by making persistent efforts and strengthening communication and coordination with your Cambodian colleagues," Hu said.

The Chinese president also asked the Chinese technicians about the difficulties in the restoration work.

"The biggest challenge here is the lack of professionals," one Chinese technician told Hu, explaining that the job requires skilled workers who are familia with Cambodia's history, art and architecture, in addition to the proficiency in foreign languages.

"The restoration work is just a project used to train such professionals and allow people to display their talent," Hu said.

Leaving the Takeo temple, Hu visited several other archaeological sites in Angkor, inquiring in detail about the current progress in the restoration work.

"China's assistance in the restoration work of Cambodia's archaeological sites has created a better condition for the study of the Southeast Asian history in China and for the exchange of research on this subject," Hu told an accompanying scholar.

"I hope you will help revive the ancient civilization created by the Cambodian people by making persistent efforts and strengthening communication and coordination with your Cambodian colleagues," Hu said.

The Chinese president also asked the Chinese technicians about the difficulties in the restoration work.

"The biggest challenge here is the lack of professionals," one Chinese technician told Hu, explaining that the job requires skilled workers who are familia with Cambodia's history, art and architecture, in addition to the proficiency in foreign languages.

"The restoration work is just a project used to train such professionals and allow people to display their talent," Hu said.

Leaving the Takeo temple, Hu visited several other archaeological sites in Angkor, inquiring in detail about the current progress in the restoration work.

"China's assistance in the restoration work of Cambodia's archaeological sites has created a better condition for the study of the Southeast Asian history in China and for the exchange of research on this subject," Hu told an accompanying scholar.