PHNOM PENH: The Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia, Wang Wentian, and his wife, paid a courtesy call to Her Majesty Queen Norodom Monineath Sihanouk on the occasion of her 86th birthday. The Ambassador told the Queen that the Chinese Embassy will organize a series of activities to commemorate His Majesty King Father Norodom Sihanouk’s 100th birthday. The Ambassador said the King Father sacrificed a great deal of energy for the development of bilateral relations between the people of Cambodia and China, two countries which continue to deepen their friendship.

During his visit to the Queen on Thursday, 9 June, Ambassador Wang Wentian wished her to continue having great wisdom, intelligence, strength, good health and a long life. He added that this year marks the 100th birthday of His Majesty King Norodom Sihanouk, who sacrificed a great deal of energy in further developing relations between the two countries, and also encouraged the people of both countries to continue exploring and actively participating in building the friendship between China and Cambodia.

The Chinese Embassy quoted the Ambassador saying, "China and Cambodia are truly iron-clad friends. Under the direct attention of the leaders of both countries, the two sides are actively promoting practical cooperation in various fields and participating in building a common destiny with strategic significance.” The Ambassador also once again wished Her Majesty the Queen good health to continue supporting the friendship between the two countries to last forever.

Her Majesty Queen Mother thanked the Chinese leaders for their greetings and wishes, and said the traditional friendship between Cambodia and China was directly established and nurtured by the King Father and the previous generation of Chinese leaders, forging this iron-clad friendship.

She also recalled China's involvement in aiding Cambodia since the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak. China quickly sent medical experts to Cambodia to gain control over the pandemic, along with many much-needed pandemic prevention materials and resources, which played an important role in the national fight against Covid-19.

She also thanked the Chinese side for always providing valuable assistance to aid Cambodia’s national development and social progress. The Royal Family of Cambodia will continue to play a role in the development of this friendly relationship and will continue to be a force in promoting the development of relations between the two countries.

It should be noted that King Norodom Sihanouk was a strong supporter of the People's Republic of China. As head of state and government during the Sangkum Reastr Niyum (Popular Socialist Community) Era, King Norodom Sihanouk proclaimed independence and recognized the People's Republic of China as a country before China itself had declared as such.

During the handover ceremony of the Morodok Techo National Stadium on 12 September 2021, Prime Minister Hun Sen stated that the fruitful relationship between Cambodia and China began with the actions of former King Norodom Sihanouk, who supported the Chinese communist party since the time of Mao Zedong.

The People's Republic of China was formally proclaimed on 1 October 1949, when the Chinese Communist Party led by Mao Zedong defeated the army of the Republic of China led by Chiang Kai-shek.

In September 2021, His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni, delivered a congratulatory message to the President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping, on the occasion of the 72nd anniversary of the establishment of the country.

He stated, "Cambodia is committed to maintaining the traditional friendship and cooperation with China and to promote the building of a Cambodian-Chinese community with a common future."