The China-Cambodia Food Industry Laboratory is situated in the complex of the Industrial Laboratory Centre of Cambodia in Phnom Penh's Russey Keo district. It was built following calls by Chinese premier Wen Jiabao last year to establish a science and technology programme between China and southeast Asian countries.
"The China-Cambodia Food Industry Laboratory is the first lab since the programme was launched. It will help to improve food quality and safety in Cambodia," the Xinhua news agency reported visiting Chinese state councilor Liu Yandong as saying.
Cambodia's permanent deputy prime minister, Men Sam An, said Cambodia was the first country in the Asean bloc to begin implementing the Asean-China Science and Technology Partnership Programme.
"I believe that the cooperation will help further enhance capacity for Cambodian specialists and private sector on science and technology, especially small and meddle-sized food enterprises, " she said.
"The lab will contribute to enhancing food quality and safety, related research and technology development," she added.
The laboratory's equipment was donated by China with a total value of US$465,000 as part of the first phase of a three-year cooperation.