The oldest public school in Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh, is in a small courtyard downtown.The Tuan Hoa school has a Chinese temple and Mandarin language classes for its 2,000 students. But in Phnom Penh, Chinese usage is still behind English.This is true although China and Cambodia have a long history together and close political ties.School Deputy Director Loeung Sokmenh said there are good reasons for students to learn Chinese.They can work as translators or guides for foreign visitors. They also may have the chance to study in China.Ms. Sokmenh said Chinese tourists, investors and clothing factories are coming to Cambodia, and they need translators.Across the city is another school called the Zhongchua International school. It is a private, Chinese-run school, which opened last August.Its 200 students can learn Khmer and Mandarin or Khmer and English.A staff member, who did not want to be identified, told VOA that more than half of the Cambodian children take the Khmer-English classes.
