STUNG TRENG, Cambodia, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Loem Houng, a 47-year-old Cambodian man, has become one of dozens of power engineers at the Lower Sesan II hydropower station here after having worked for the power plant for several years.

Joining the 400-megawatt Lower Sesan II hydropower station in Sesan district in northern Cambodia in 2017, Houng had been trained by Chinese experts to operate and maintain the machinery that generates power.

Now, he has become a supervisor at the hydropower station's operation and maintenance unit.

Speaking to Xinhua in a recent interview, Houng said he was very proud of working for a big hydropower plant, where he has learned new technologies and skills.

"The company has always trained new staff members on technical skills, communications and safety," he said. "I would like to express my profound thanks to the Lower Sesan II hydropower station for giving me an opportunity to work here, providing me with technical skills that I had never known before."

Meanwhile, he said the project has provided a lot of benefits to the nation's economy, local communities and Cambodian employees.

"This hydropower station has helped stabilize the electricity supply in Cambodia and created a lot of jobs for local people," he said.

Launched in 2018, the hydropower station is a joint venture among China's Huaneng Hydrolancang International Energy, Cambodia's Royal Group, and Vietnam's EVN International Joint Stock Company.

It is one of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) flagship projects carried out in the Southeast Asian country.

Khorn Ruos, a Cambodian technician at the hydropower station's operation and maintenance unit, said the hydropower station has offered him a specific skill that could feed him for life.

"I feel very proud of working with this Lower Sesan II hydropower station," he told Xinhua. "Besides a decent wage, the company has also provided accommodation, food and other fringe benefits."

Ruos, who has worked at the hydropower station since 2018, said he was satisfied with his job.

Pan Qi, a Chinese staff member at the hydropower station, said the hydropower plant has promoted localization to create employment and provided training to a new generation of Cambodian power engineers.

"Currently, dozens of power engineers are capable of independently operating our hydropower station," he told Xinhua.

Pan said the hydropower plant has supplied Cambodia with stable, green and clean energy.

"The plant adheres to the principle of building a power station to boost the local economy, protect the environment, benefit the local people, and jointly build a harmonious and shared development environment," he said. ■