Phnom Penh, Dr. Ly Thuch, President of the Cambodian Mine Action Authority, led a delegation to meet with Wang Wentian, the Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia. The meeting, held at the Chinese Embassy in Cambodia, was centered on the partnership and operational cooperation in the field of mine action in Cambodia.

Representing the Cambodian government and its people, including Prime Minister Hun Manet, Dr. Ly Thuch expressed deep gratitude to the Chinese government and its people for their ongoing support and contributions to Cambodia's development. This includes humanitarian aid for mine action, encompassing financial, technical, and capacity-building assistance. In 2023, with the support from China and other international partners, Cambodia cleared mines from an area of 356 square kilometers, marking the largest clearance in 30 years and achieving significant success in its demining plan.

Dr. Ly Thuch informed Ambassador Wang that despite ongoing challenges in mine clearance, Cambodia, under the distinguished leadership of Prime Minister Hun Manet, has set a firm goal to eliminate landmines from its territory by 2025. This ambitious goal calls for a concerted effort from all involved parties, emphasizing that no Cambodian citizen should suffer from landmine injuries after 2025.

Furthermore, Dr. Ly Thuch thanked China for supporting the Ottawa Treaty in 2024 and for hosting the upcoming Siem Reap-Angkor Summit on a Mine-Free World, scheduled for November 2024. The success of this summit is viewed as a collective international achievement and highlights Cambodia's significant role in global mine action efforts.