PHNOM PENH: The Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs Prak Sokhonn has led a delegation to pay an official visit to Hangzhou city, Zhejiang province, the People’s Republic of China, from 3 to 5 December 2021.
Minister Sokhonn went to China as an invited by the Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Yi, to have a bilateral meeting to further deepen the bilateral relations and cooperation in various areas such as the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, trade and investment, defense and security, education and agriculture, as well as people-to-people exchanges.
Both counterparts have expressed great satisfaction on the continual progress of the two countries’ bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to further enhance Cambodia-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Cooperation and to advance the building of the Community of Shared Future for the mutual benefits of the two nations.
They have also anticipated the entry into force of the Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) early next year, with both of them committed to taking full advantage of the two trade agreements in order to increase bilateral trade up to USD 10 billion by 2023.
Minister Prak Sokhonn has thanked China for the increase of imports of Cambodian products into the Chinese market, and the Chinese help during the pandemic, with donations of medical supplies and vaccines,that were fundamental for Cambodia put the pandemic under control.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has also reiterated China’s support for Cambodia’s infrastructure and other development projects under the Belt and Road Cooperation, as well as the post-pandemic economic recovery effort.
As the Kingdom reopens for tourism, the Wang Yi has also assured China will encourage more Chinese tourists and investors to Cambodia and consider resuming all direct flights between the two countries, as well as the return of the Cambodian students to study in China.
The two Foreign Ministers agreed to speed up the implementation of the Five-Year Plan of Action on Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (2018-2022), with Cambodian Minister Prak Sokhonn deeply thanking China for approving and financing a total of 67 Cambodia’s projects, which is worth $26 million.
The ASEAN Chairmanship of 2022 was another topic of the subject, with Cambodian to bee soon undertaking the chairmanship. Prak Sokhonn has briefed his counterparts with the next Chairmanship, in which Wang Yi reiterated China’s support on the Cambodian chairmanship.
Prak Sokhonn has also congratulated China on hosting the Winter Olympic Game in Beijing in 2022 and wished the event crowned with another great success.
At the end of the bilateral meeting, they have also exchanged views of the recent development of Myanmar issues.
The two Foreign Ministers have also signed the Cooperation Arrangement on “Animal and Plant Inspection and Quarantine and Food Safety” between Cambodia and China.
Related News
