Infrastructure has been vital in China's path to poverty alleviation.

Now transportation projects using Chinese tech and standards are taking place around the world, as countries hope their local development can take a step up with better infrastructure.

We will visit various infrastructure projects around the world under the Belt and Road Initiative in a series of special episodes this year.

Search for "Road to a Bright Future" for more BRI episodes.

Our first visit is Cambodia's first ever expressway that was launched last October.

Journalist Charles McDermid spoke with us on how the locals reacted to this new project and why the country considers it vital for its economic development.

Cambodian journalist Rathana Phin also helped with the production of this episode.