Cambodia and China were committed to advancing diamond cooperation and celebrating 2024 as the Year of People-to-People Exchange.
The commitment was emphasised by H.E. SOK Chenda Sophea, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and H.E. LOU Qinjian, Member of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress and Chairman of its Foreign Affairs Committee, during their meeting at the ministry yesterday.
According to a press release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, as the two countries are celebrating the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations and Cambodia-China Friendship Year, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening their “diamond cooperation” framework and deepening the building of a Cambodia-China Community with a Shared Future in the new era. They noted with satisfaction the remarkable progress of Cambodia-China relations and commended the frequent high-level exchanges of visits between legislative and executive institutions of the two countries.
H.E. LOU congratulated Cambodia for successfully organising the general election and smoothly forming the National Assembly and new government this year. He expressed his confidence that Cambodia would continue to accomplish greater achievements under the wise leadership of Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei HUN Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia.
H.E. the Deputy Prime Minister noted that high voter turnout and overwhelming support for the Royal Government were driven by people’s confidence in the government’s effective control of COVID-19 and improved living standards. He conveyed his sincere appreciation to China for its invaluable support and assistance to the socio-economic development of the Kingdom, including the timely provision of COVID-19 vaccines.
H.E. the Deputy Prime Minister praised the outstanding achievements under Belt and Road Initiative cooperation between the two countries, especially the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway and the new Siem Reap Angkor International Airport. Both sides stressed the importance of promoting increased Chinese investment in Cambodia, particularly the commitment to transform Preah Sihanouk Province into a model multi-purposed special economic zone.
Recalling fruitful meetings between Samdech Thipadei HUN Manet and Chinese leaders, especially H.E. President XI Jinping and H.E. Premier LI Qiang, the two sides exchanged views on propelling the Year of People-to-People Exchange in 2024 into a productive year with concrete outcomes by attracting additionalChinese tourists and more direct flights from China to Cambodia, particularly Siem Reap.
Both sides underscored the importance of effectively implementing the strategic consensus between leaders, including the establishment of the “Industrial and Technological Corridor” and the “Fish and Rice Corridor.”
