Chinese-invested Siem Reap Angkor International Airport in Cambodia began commercial operation on Monday and is expected to become a gateway to the world-renowned Angkor Temples.

The new airport is the first overseas international airport delivered under the Build-Operate-Transfer model of Chinese enterprises. It has been invested in by an affiliate of China's Yunnan Investment Holdings Ltd and is operated and managed by Yunnan Aviation Industry Investment Group Co.

The airport opened as China and Cambodia celebrate 65 years of diplomatic relations and China welcomes the 10th anniversary of the inception of the Belt and Road Initiative. It also marked a flagship BRI project between China and Cambodia.