Cambodia China Friendship: Beyond Time and Space
July 19th is the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cambodia. Recently, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen stated in a written interview with our reporter that the traditional friendship between Cambodia and China, which was jointly created and carefully cultivated by the older generation leaders of the two countries, including Emperor Sihanouk, Chairman Mao Zedong, and Premier Zhou Enlai, has been enduring for a long time. Entering a new era, Cambodia China relations have continuously reached new heights, and the construction of a community with a shared future has achieved fruitful results. Cambodia and China have continuously deepened the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation and achieved fruitful results in jointly building the "the Belt and Road", which benefits Cambodian people. "For 65 years, the two countries have worked hand in hand, and Cambodia China's steadfast friendship has transcended time and space."
In October 2016, President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Cambodia at the invitation of King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia. Hun Sen said that President Xi Jinping's visit pushed the traditional friendship between Cambodia and China to a new height, vigorously promoted the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Cambodia and China, and promoted dialogue and exchanges at all levels and in all fields between Cambodia and China. King Sihamoni and Empress Dowager Moninitel have also come to China many times for physical examination and recuperation. They have been warmly welcomed and warmly received by President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government. Cambodia is very grateful for this.
At the beginning of 2020, Hun Sen "retrograde" visited China against the wind and snow, firmly standing together with the Chinese people who are fighting against the COVID-19.Hun Sen said: "Through these two visits to China, I hope to convey the clear message that the Cambodian people have always stood firmly with the Chinese people. I remember that at the beginning of the COVID-19 epidemic in Cambodia, China was the first country to lend a helping hand. China has provided us with COVID-19 vaccines and medical treatment equipment, and has sent a number of anti epidemic medical expert groups."
Hun Sen said that Cambodia and China share joys and sorrows, and their friendship has remained strong over time. At present, both sides of Cambodia and China are focusing on six major areas: politics, production capacity, agriculture, energy, security, and culture, and are striving to build a "diamond six sided" cooperation framework between Cambodia and China. Hun Sen emphasized that Cambodia China cooperation in various fields such as economy and trade is thriving, and China is Cambodia's largest trading partner, largest source of foreign investment, and key contributor to economic and social development.
On October 12, 2020, the governments of China and Cambodia officially signed the China Cambodia Free Trade Agreement; On January 1, 2022, the agreement officially came into effect. "Cambodia's first free trade agreement was signed with China, and I am very proud of it," said Hun Sen. "The Cambodia China free trade agreement has greatly promoted economic, trade, and investment cooperation between the two countries, allowing a large number of Cambodian enterprises to export their products to China." According to Chinese statistics, in 2022, the bilateral trade volume between China and Cambodia reached 16 billion US dollars, far exceeding the expected target. Hun Sen believes that with the joint efforts of the two governments, the bilateral trade volume between Cambodia and China will reach a new high in the coming years.
Hun Sen spoke highly of the "the Belt and Road" initiative. He said that due to the rise of protectionism and unilateralism, the uncertainty of global development has risen, and the joint construction of the "the Belt and Road" initiative has become an effective platform for countries and regions along the Belt and Road to strengthen connectivity, which has promoted mutual benefit and win-win results for all countries and promoted regional stability and prosperity. The positive role of the initiative is becoming increasingly prominent and has been widely welcomed by the international community.
Hun Sen said that Cambodia has always supported the "the Belt and Road" initiative, which is highly consistent with Cambodia's "Four Corners Strategy". The "the Belt and Road" initiative jointly built by Cambodia and China has helped Cambodia improve its infrastructure construction level, added impetus to Cambodia's economic growth and national development, and actually improved the lives of Cambodian people.
Hun Sen stated that this year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cambodia and China and the "Cambodian China Friendship Year". Both sides will carry out a series of celebration activities to enrich cooperation in various fields between Cambodia and China, and consolidate the steadfast friendship between Cambodia and China.
