Deepening and Realizing Cooperation between China and Cambodia - Interview with Qiang Wannari, President of Cambodia Asia Vision Research Institute

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet was invited to visit China on an official basis from September 14th to 16th. China became the first country that Hun Manet officially visited after assuming the new Prime Minister, fully reflecting the high importance that both China and Cambodia attach to the sustained development of traditional friendship between China and Cambodia. During an interview with Economic Daily, Qiang Wannari, President of Cambodia's Asia Vision Research Institute, stated that Prime Minister Hun Manai's visit to China has yielded fruitful results. The two sides have signed multiple cooperation agreements and issued a joint communiqu é, stating that the "diamond six sided" cooperation between China and Cambodia will further deepen and strengthen, and the construction of a community with a shared future between China and Cambodia will continue to be consolidated and strengthened.

Jonvanari pointed out that since the establishment of diplomatic relations 65 years ago, China Cambodia friendly cooperative relations have made great progress, especially in the field of infrastructure construction and connectivity, the "the Belt and Road" initiative has played a key role. China's investment in Cambodia's roads, bridges, railways, and ports has not only improved Cambodia's infrastructure, but also enhanced its connectivity with neighboring countries and wider regions. China is Cambodia's largest trading partner and source of foreign investment. China's investment and strong trade growth between the two countries have made significant contributions to Cambodia's economic and social development, playing an important role in creating employment, reducing poverty, and achieving diversified economic development.

He emphasized that Prime Minister Hunmanai's visit has provided new impetus for China and Cambodia to work together to build a high-quality, high-level, and high standard new era of China Cambodia community with a shared future. No matter how the international situation changes, China and Cambodia are steadfast in developing friendship for generations, strengthening strategic communication, deepening mutually beneficial cooperation, fully reflecting the profound political mutual trust between the two countries. China has always been Cambodia's most reliable and steadfast strategic partner. Cambodia firmly supports China in safeguarding its core interests, supporting the global development initiative, the global security initiative, and the global civilization initiative. The two sides deepen cooperation in jointly building the "the Belt and Road" and the "Diamond Six Sides", and closely cooperate in regional and international affairs, which will certainly promote Cambodia China relations to a new level. The "iron core" friendship between China and Cambodia, which has been carefully cultivated by the leaders of the two countries for generations, will continue to grow stronger.

Qiang Wannari stated that during the visit, China and Cambodia signed the Action Plan for Building a Community of Shared Future in the New Era between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Royal Government of Cambodia, as well as multiple cooperation documents, covering areas such as the "Industrial Development Corridor", "Fish and Rice Corridor", infrastructure, digital economy, green development, inspection and quarantine, forestry and wildlife, and development cooperation. This is a common strategic vision based on the principles of mutual respect, mutual trust, and common interests between the two countries. It marks a closer strategic cooperation between the two countries, and the deep integration and development of various fields between China and Cambodia.

Deepening cooperation between China and Cambodia will bring new opportunities for both countries to achieve their respective vision and goals. The "the Belt and Road" initiative, in contrast to Cambodia's new "five corner strategy", will bring significant benefits to both countries. The construction of the Industrial Development Corridor and the Fish and Rice Corridor will become important milestones in Cambodia's implementation of the Five Corners Strategy. The Industrial Development Corridor is based on the construction of multifunctional economic zones, logistics hubs, and transportation infrastructure networks, aiming to attract domestic and foreign investment, promote stable growth in manufacturing, technology, and service industries, enhance Cambodia's industrial capacity, create employment opportunities, and increase exports. The construction of the "Fish and Rice Corridor" focuses on the development of rural areas and agricultural communities, aiming to improve the productivity and sustainability of Cambodia's agricultural sector, especially rice cultivation and fish farming. This not only helps to ensure self-sufficiency in Cambodia's food, but also significantly increases farmers' income and improves their livelihoods. The construction of the "Two Corridors" will effectively promote the balance and sustainable development of urban and rural areas in Cambodia.

He also stated that deepening the "Diamond Six Sides" cooperation between China and Cambodia will promote the development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries in the long term, continuously deepening close cooperation between the two countries in multiple fields such as infrastructure, trade, investment, culture, and humanities. China's strong infrastructure construction capacity and significant investment will help Cambodia's modern transportation network, energy projects, and urban development, promote regional connectivity and economic growth. China is a global technological powerhouse, and the transfer of advanced technology and joint skills training by both sides will play an important role in Cambodia's capacity and human resource development, innovation capacity cultivation, as well as the development of emerging industries such as the digital economy and green economy. In addition, the highly complementary markets of the two countries will greatly promote the deepening of economic and trade cooperation, providing new potential impetus for the two countries to achieve their future vision goals.

At the same time, under the framework of the "Diamond Six Sides" cooperation, the exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in cultural and tourism, education, healthcare, and other cultural aspects are increasingly becoming a bond of mutual understanding between the two peoples, effectively enhancing the understanding and friendship between the people of China and Cambodia. The 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cambodia and the series of celebrations of the "China Cambodia Friendship Year" have effectively promoted the traditional friendship between China and Cambodia, and the friendly cooperation between China and Cambodia will be passed down from generation to generation.