Phnom Penh: Cambodia and China have renewed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations during a recent meeting between Cambodian National Assembly President Khuon Sudary and China’s newly appointed Ambassador to Cambodia, Mr. Wang Wenbin.
During the meeting at the National Assembly Palace on August 2, 2024, President of National Assembly praised Ambassador Wang for his reputation as a skilled diplomat and expressed a shared dedication to enhancing the traditional ties, ironclad friendship, and comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations. The aim is to further develop a "community with a shared future" in this new era.
President Khuon Sudary commended the Communist Party of China, the Chinese government, and its people for their substantial support in Cambodia’s socio-economic development and for upholding Cambodia’s independence and sovereignty. She underscored that Cambodia's progress is deeply linked to China's support, framing China's success as synonymous with Cambodia’s own success.
The Cambodian leader reaffirmed the country’s consistent foreign policy towards China, grounded in mutual respect, support, and equality, which she described as a model for international relations. She acknowledged China's respect for Cambodia’s independence and its non-interference in domestic affairs.
Both sides recognized the historical contributions of key figures such as King Father Norodom Sihanouk, Chairman Mao Zedong, and Premier Zhou Enlai in building the foundation of Cambodia-China relations. The current leadership, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Cambodian leaders Samdech Techo Hun Sen and Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet, continue to nurture this partnership.
Cambodia reiterated its support for China’s one-China policy and various global initiatives including the Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative. Both countries agreed to align China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with Cambodia’s Pentagonal Strategy, focusing on projects such as the "Industrial and Technical Corridor" and the "Fish and Rice Corridor" to build a high-quality community with a shared future.
Ambassador Wang expressed his satisfaction with the evolving relationship and his commitment to elevating it further. He described Cambodia as a second home and expressed optimism about the future of bilateral ties. He highlighted the importance of people-to-people exchanges, marking this year as a significant period for such interactions.
Looking ahead, China anticipates the visit of a high-level Cambodian parliamentary delegation led by Rathsapheathika Thipadei to further strengthen parliamentary cooperation. Ambassador Wang also conveyed warm regards from Mr. Zhao Leji, Chairman of the People’s Congress, to the Cambodian President.
