Phnom Penh: On the morning of 11 January 2023, Lt. Gen. Hun Manet, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and Commander of the Cambodian Army, and Liu Jianchao, Director of the International Liaison Department of the Chinese Communist Party, inaugurated the "Youth House for Cambodia-China Friendship" and the "Youth Workshop on Cambodia-China Relations" at the Jaya Smart Hotel, Phnom Penh.

Lt. Gen. Hun Manet said that the "Youth House for Cambodia-China Friendship" will play an important role in exchanging experiences, ideas, and culture between the youth of the two countries, which will further promote the traditional friendship and build common futures in line with the Belt and Road Initiative.

He added that the forum will also contribute to the development of Cambodia's human resources in addition to the past support from Chinese friends, such as scholarships, exchange and training programs for young people in Cambodia. “Youth House for Cambodia-China Friendship” is another example of the strong friendship between Cambodia and China and also a testament to the connection and friendship between the younger generation as "good friends and good partners."

Lt. Gen. Hun Manet added that as a comprehensive strategic partner of the Cambodia-China Community of Common Destiny (CCD), the two countries and their peoples are friends who have always stood together and helped each other in all circumstances. In fact, even though China suffered discrimination during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, Cambodia saw that it was an emergency time for all countries to encourage and support each other, both in terms of friendship and humanity.

In addition, China's assistance in the fight against Covid-19 in Cambodia, especially in the Covid-19 vaccines and medical equipment, as well as the successful outcome of the official visit of the Premier of China, Li Keqiang, during the ASEAN Summit and Related Summits hosted by Cambodia in November 2022, further emphasize the close friendship.

It should also be noted that the "Youth House for Cambodia-China Friendship" is an achievement of the strong traditional friendship and close cooperation between Cambodia and China, which are promoted through the principle of equal sovereignty with mutual respect and win-win cooperation.