Hun Manet visit consolidates China-Cambodia friendship

The new Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Manet paid an official visit to China from September 14-16. Hun Manet chose China for his first bilateral foreign visit since assuming office in a sign of the close relations between the two countries.

President Xi Jinping met with him on September 15. He noted that the Cambodian leader’s choice of China fully demonstrates the great importance the new Cambodian government attaches to consolidating and developing China-Cambodia friendship.

China and Cambodia are ironclad friends, Xi said, adding that over the past 65 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two sides have always maintained a high degree of mutual trust, treated each other as equals, achieved win-win results, and firmly supported each other in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests.

Xi stressed that China firmly supports Cambodia in exploring a development path suited to its national conditions and stands ready to maintain regular strategic communication with Cambodia and deepen the exchange of governance experience.

The Chinese President pointed out that no matter how the international and regional situation may change, China is always Cambodia’s most reliable friend and staunch supporter, and that China stands ready to join hands with Cambodia to uphold international fairness and justice and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries.

Hun Manet said that he chose China as the destination for his first official visit to show that the new Cambodian government will continue to firmly pursue a friendly policy toward China and further carry forward the ironclad friendship between Cambodia and China.

The prime minister added that Cambodia will abide by the one-China principle, firmly support China in safeguarding its core interests, and support the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilisation Initiative proposed by President Xi.

Cambodia appreciates China’s long-term strong support and assistance for Cambodia’s economic and social development and is willing to work with China to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, deepen Belt and Road cooperation, and push for further development of bilateral cooperation in industry, agriculture, investment, culture and other fields.

When meeting his Cambodian counterpart on the same day, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said that China and Cambodia have always stood together through thick and thin and helped each other since establishing diplomatic ties 65 years ago and the two countries have set an example of equality and mutual benefit between countries.

Li pointed out that China firmly supports the Cambodian side in safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests and in exploring a development path suited to its national conditions.

Hun Manet hailed the ironclad friendship with China, stressing that the new Cambodian government maintains no change in promoting this friendship and intends to work with China to carry forward the traditional relationship between the two countries.

Cambodia abides by the one-China principle, resolutely opposes external forces interfering in China’s internal affairs, and supports the significant initiatives put forward by China, he added.

The two countries released a joint communiqué in which they speak highly of the substantial development of the China-Cambodia relationship, which has been carefully nurtured by generations of leaders of both countries and has been constantly growing from strength to strength in the last 65 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties. Both sides emphasise that no matter how the international situation changes, they will unswervingly develop their ever-lasting friendship and deepen cooperation for mutual benefits, with a view to promoting the building of a high-quality, high-level and high-standard China-Cambodia Community with a Shared Future in the new era as a showcase for a community with a shared future for humanity.

Both sides reaffirm their respect and support for each other’s choice of development path that suits their respective national conditions. The Cambodian side speaks highly of China’s great achievements in the decade of the new era and of Chinese modernisation that offers an alternative modernisation for humanity and fresh opportunities for Cambodia. It trusts that China will achieve its second centenary goal of building a great modern socialist country in all aspects towards great national rejuvenation through Chinese modernisation. The Chinese side speaks highly of Cambodia’s economic and social achievements.

The Chinese side reaffirms resolute support to Cambodia’s endeavours to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests while expressing firm opposition to any foreign interference in Cambodia’s internal affairs. And both express firm opposition to politicisation of human rights, double standards and interference in other countries’ internal affairs under the guise of human rights or democracy. Both sides agree to strengthen cooperation against interference and ‘Colour Revolutions’.

In recent years, Cambodia has experienced increasing external pressure in this regard due to its maintaining an independent and non-aligned posture regionally and internationally and its rejection of outside interference in its internal affairs. For example, the US House of Representatives passed a Cambodia Sanctions Bill in September 2021 and the US government tightened export controls to the country in December of the same year.

Surveying economic cooperation, the communiqué laid stress on the development of Cambodia’s Special Economic Zone along with the areas of agro-industries, transportation infrastructure, electricity, energy and manufacturing, in particular.

They further agreed to enhance cooperation in hydropower, photovoltaics, and other clean energy sources, to explore green, stable and reliable energy cooperation solutions, promote establishment of a China-Cambodia Low-Carbon Demonstration Zone Project of South-South Cooperation on Climate Change in Preah Sihanouk Province, and to carry out cooperation in policy dialogue, joint research and capacity building, with a focus on climate change, pollution management and circular economy; as well as to conduct cooperation in such areas of shared interests as comprehensive water resources management, flood and drought disaster prevention, and drinking water safety in rural areas.

As noted, this year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cambodia and China under the guidance of King Father Norodom Sihanouk, Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai. The anniversary has been marked by diverse exchanges and reciprocal visits. China’s top diplomat, Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Cambodia in August and Minister Liu Jianchao of the Communist Party of China’s International Department visited in September.

Hun Manet succeeded his father, the long-serving Hun Sen, as Prime Minister on August 22, following general elections on July 23, when their Cambodian People’s Party again won a decisive victory.

The following reports were originally carried by the Xinhua News Agency.

Xi meets Cambodian prime minister

BEIJING, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet at the Great Hall of the People on Friday.

Xi pointed out that Prime Minister Hun Manet chose China as the destination for his first bilateral visit after taking office, which fully demonstrates the great importance the new Cambodian government attaches to consolidating and developing China-Cambodia friendship.

China and Cambodia are ironclad friends, Xi said, adding that over the past 65 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two sides have always maintained a high degree of mutual trust, treated each other as equals, achieved win-win results, and firmly supported each other in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests.

Xi stressed that China firmly supports Cambodia in exploring a development path suited to its national conditions, and stands ready to maintain regular strategic communication with Cambodia and deepen the exchange of governance experience.

He said the two sides should make good use of the mechanism of the intergovernmental coordinating committee and implement the new action plan for building a China-Cambodia community with a shared future.

Xi also called on both sides to enrich the China-Cambodia “Diamond Hexagon” cooperation framework, jointly build the “Industrial Development Corridor” and the “Fish and Rice Corridor,” and promote the early implementation of relevant key cooperation projects.

China is willing to carry out regular law enforcement and security cooperation with Cambodia and continue to crack down on cross-border crimes such as online gambling and telecom fraud, said Xi.

He said the two sides should continue to host activities to celebrate the “China-Cambodia Friendship Year” and expand cooperation in the fields of youth, localities, education, tourism and health so that China-Cambodia friendship will bring more benefits to the two peoples.

Xi pointed out that no matter how the international and regional situation may change, China is always Cambodia’s most reliable friend and staunch supporter, and that China stands ready to join hands with Cambodia to uphold international fairness and justice and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries.

Hun Manet said that he chose China as the destination for his first official visit to show that the new Cambodian government will continue to firmly pursue a friendly policy toward China and further carry forward the ironclad friendship between Cambodia and China.

The prime minister said Cambodia will abide by the one-China principle, firmly support China in safeguarding its core interests, and support the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi.

Cambodia appreciates China’s long-term strong support and assistance for Cambodia’s economic and social development, and is willing to work with China to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, deepen Belt and Road cooperation, and push for further development of bilateral cooperation in industry, agriculture, investment, culture and other fields under the “Diamond Hexagon” framework, Hun Manet said.

Hun Manet noted that the Cambodian side is willing to closely cooperate with China in regional and international affairs to push the bilateral ties to a new height.

Wang Yi was present at the meeting. 

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Chinese premier holds talks with Cambodian prime minister

BEIJING, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) — Chinese Premier Li Qiang held talks with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People on Friday.

China and Cambodia have always stood together through thick and thin and helped each other since establishing diplomatic ties 65 years ago, Li said, noting the two countries have set an example of equality and mutual benefit between countries.

China is ready to work with Cambodia to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, continue to give full play to the leading role of high-level exchanges, strengthen strategic communication, and push for new progress in building a China-Cambodia community with a shared future, said the premier.

Li pointed out that China firmly supports the Cambodian side in safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests and exploring a development path suited to its national conditions.

He said China is willing to enhance development-strategy synergies with Cambodia, use the mechanism of the intergovernmental coordinating committee, and upgrade cooperation on industry, agriculture, the economy, and trade to achieve more practical results.

Li also called on the two sides to continue to host activities to celebrate the “China-Cambodia Friendship Year” and expand people-to-people exchanges cooperation in health, education, culture, and tourism.

“China will continue to closely cooperate and support each other with Cambodia in regional and international affairs, push for deeper and more solid Lancang-Mekong cooperation, carry out regular cooperation in non-traditional security fields such as combating online gambling and electricity fraud, and build a closer Lancang-Mekong community with a shared future,” said Li.

Hun Manet hailed the “ironclad” friendship with China, stressing that the new Cambodian government maintains no change in promoting this friendship with China and intends to work with China to carry forward the traditional relationship between the two countries.

Cambodia abides by the one-China principle, resolutely opposes external forces interfering in China’s internal affairs, and supports the significant initiatives put forward by China, Hun Manet said.

He expressed hopes to further expand cooperation with China on energy, agriculture, infrastructure construction, investment, and humanities under the “Diamond Hexagon” cooperation framework, strengthen coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs, and build a community with a shared future between Cambodia and China.

After the talks, the two prime ministers witnessed the signing of several bilateral cooperation documents in industry, agricultural infrastructure, the digital economy, green development, inspection and quarantine, and development cooperation. 

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Full text: Joint Communique between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Royal Government of Cambodia

BEIJING, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) — The Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Royal Government of Cambodia on Saturday issued a joint communique.

The following is the full text of the joint communique:

Joint Communique between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Royal Government of Cambodia

At the invitation of Premier Li Qiang of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei HUN Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, paid an official visit to the People’s Republic of China from 14 to 16 September 2023. During the visit, President Xi Jinping met with Samdech Thipadei HUN Manet, having in-depth exchanges on building a China-Cambodia community with a shared future in the new era, and on international and regional issues of shared interest, charting the course for future China-Cambodia relations.

Premier Li Qiang also held talks with Samdech Thipadei HUN Manet, and Chairman Zhao Leji of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress met with Samdech Thipadei HUN Manet.

1. Both sides speak highly of the substantial development of China-Cambodia relationship, which has been carefully nurtured by generations of leaders of both countries and has been constantly growing from strength to strength in the last 65 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties. Both sides emphasize that no matter how the international situation changes, the two sides will unswervingly develop their ever-lasting friendship and deepen cooperation for mutual benefits, with a view to promoting the building of a high-quality, high-level and high-standard China-Cambodia Community with a Shared Future in the new era as a showcase for a community with a shared future for mankind. The two sides speak highly of the achievements of “China-Cambodia Friendship Year” events celebrating 65 years of diplomatic relations, and stand willing to carry forward traditional friendship through coming generations.

2. Both sides reaffirm their respect and support for each other’s choice of development path that suits their respective national conditions. The Cambodian side speaks highly of China’s great achievements in the decade of the new era and Chinese modernization that offers an alternative to modernization for mankind and fresh opportunities for Cambodia. It is trusted that China will achieve its second centenary goal of building a great modern socialist country in all aspects towards great national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization. The Chinese side speaks highly of Cambodia’s economic and social achievements and firmly believes that with the blessing of His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia, and leadership of the new Royal Government of Cambodia headed by Samdech Thipadei Prime Minister, Cambodia will make greater strides in national development and people’s well-being as well as play a more important role in maintaining peace and prosperity in the region and beyond.

3. The Chinese side reaffirms resolute support to Cambodia’s endeavors to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests while expressing firm opposition to any foreign interference in Cambodia’s internal affairs.

The Cambodian side reaffirms resolute adherence to the One-China principle, that the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole lawful government representing the whole of China, and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory and China’s internal affairs, brooking no foreign interference. Cambodia opposes any attempt to interfere in China’s internal affairs or to block or contain China under the subterfuge of Taiwan, or any form of separatist activities seeking “Taiwan independence”. Cambodia resolutely supports China’s every effort to achieve national reunification, and will not develop any form of official relations with Taiwan.

Both sides express firm opposition to politicization of human rights, double standards and interference in other countries’ internal affairs under the guise of human rights or democracy. Both sides agree to strengthen cooperation against interference and Color Revolution.

4. Both sides agree to maintain high-level strategic engagements to advance coordination and cooperation on bilateral relations and major issues of common concern. Both sides agree to give full play to the role of China-Cambodia Intergovernmental Coordination Committee, in the implementation of Action Plan on Building a China-Cambodia Community with a Shared Future in the New Era between the People’s Republic of China and the Kingdom of Cambodia (2024-2028), and the roles of China’s National People’s Congress, National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and National Assembly and Senate of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and inter-party channels, as well as the MOU on Cooperation and Exchanges between the Communist Party of China and the Cambodian People’s Party, with a view to deepening exchanges of experience in governance, close cooperation and better fulfill China-Cambodia Community with a Shared Future in the new era.

5. Both sides agree to deepen strategic synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and Pentagonal Strategy and focus on developing a diamond cooperation framework with six priority areas, with a view to deepening China-Cambodia comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation and achieving high-quality and sustainable common development.

– Give full play to China-Cambodia Working Mechanism for Production Capacity and Investment Cooperation, with the vision of developing Preah Sihanouk Province as a model of the multipurpose Special Economic Zone (SEZ), jointly conducting studies on Industrial and Technological Corridor in Cambodia. Build on the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) as the flagship project and Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway to attract more competent Chinese enterprises to increase investment in Cambodia while encouraging cooperation among companies of the two countries in the field of agro-industries, transportation infrastructure, electricity, energy and manufacturing. The Chinese side supports railroad development in Cambodia and will jointly conduct studies on preliminary planning and design as well as economic and technical feasibility studies, while advancing roads, sewage treatment and other supporting infrastructure development, as well as electricity and power grid cooperation.

– Expedite progress of the Fish and Rice Corridor, focusing on agricultural products such as fish, rice, tropical fruits, vegetables, agricultural inputs (fertilizer, pesticide, animal feed), to enlarge agri-trade volume between both countries. To achieve Fish and Rice Corridor objective, cooperation on agricultural sector should focus on developing aquaculture, agro-processing, ecological agriculture, modern machineries, new agricultural technology and human resources. Modern agricultural demonstration zones will be established in Cambodia and cooperation and exchanges in digital agriculture will be carried out.

Deepen the inspection and quarantine cooperation between the two countries. Explore cross-border information exchanges through “single window” while deepening cooperation in animal and plants quarantine, food safety and speeding up negotiations on quarantine protocols for the export of Cambodian quality agricultural and food products to China.

– Give full play to the guiding role of China-Cambodia Economic and Trade Cooperation Committee to support the mutually beneficial trade and investment cooperation between enterprises of the two countries. Implement the China-Cambodia Free Trade Agreement while tapping full potentials of bilateral trade and enhancing the competitiveness of Cambodian products in China through bilateral e-commerce cooperation mechanisms, China International Import Expo, China Import and Export Fair, China International Consumer Products Expo, Global Digital Trade Expo, China-ASEAN Expo, etc. Promote high-quality implementation of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) while advancing China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 negotiations. The Cambodian side supports Hong Kong SAR in joining RCEP.

– Enhance cooperation in hydropower, photovoltaics, and other clean energy sources, to explore green, stable and reliable energy cooperation solutions, promote establishment of China-Cambodia Low-carbon Demonstration Zone Project of South-South Cooperation on Climate Change in Preah Sihanouk Province, carrying out cooperation in policy dialogue, joint research, capacity building with a focus on climate change, pollution management and circular economy; conduct cooperation in areas of shared interests such as comprehensive water resources management, flood and drought disaster prevention and drinking water safety in rural areas.

– Maintain high-level military engagements to strengthen communications and exchanges between relevant departments and services of two armed forces, deepening pragmatic cooperation in training, joint exercise, medical services, logistics and demining etc., as well as enhancing coordination and cooperation on multilateral fora.

Continue to deepen practical police cooperation and capacity building at both national and local levels of the two countries in combating cross-border gambling, telecommunication fraud; carry out security cooperation on major Belt and Road projects.

– The Chinese side affirms continued support to economic development and improvement of people’s livelihood in Cambodia through further implementation of the Global Development Initiative (GDI) and projects such as rural roads, bridges, water supplies, schools and hospitals. The Cambodian side expresses appreciation for China’s staunch support.

– The Cambodian side reiterates a warm welcome to Chinese tourists and the commitment to providing quality service and security. Both sides agree to enhance exchanges between cultural and tourism institutions/responsible ministries of the two countries to promote the implementation of the Executive Program on Cultural Cooperation between the two governments, while encouraging cooperation between cultural and tourism sectors of both countries through joint project development of tourism products, human resources and mutual support of tourism marketing and promotion as well as comprehensive supports in institutional building efforts. Continue to implement the China-aid Project of Royal Palace Restoration in Angkor and promote cooperation in the protection and restoration of the Preah Vihear Temple and other cultural heritages. Support air transport enterprises of both countries to increase China-Cambodia flights in accordance with market demands to facilitate bilateral economic and trade cooperation and personnel exchanges.

Continue to support Cambodian youths to study in China. Promote the Youth House for Cambodia-China Friendship to be the platform for strengthening youth exchanges and training between the two countries. Promote the establishment of Confucius Institutes and high-quality development of Chinese language education in Cambodia. Enhance cooperation in vocational education within the framework of China-Cambodia Vocational Education Alliance, while promoting mutual recognition of vocational skills registration standards. The Chinese side will continue to provide government scholarships to Cambodian students.

Enhance exchanges and cooperation in health sector including traditional Chinese medicine and traditional Chinese medical science, promoting the establishment of China-Cambodia Traditional Chinese Medicine Cooperation Center. The Chinese side will keep dispatching traditional Chinese medical teams to Cambodia.

Both sides support all forms of bilateral people-to-people exchanges and push forward cooperation projects to deepen civilization exchanges and livelihood improvement between the two countries’ NGOs, with a view to promoting mutual understanding between the two peoples.

6. Both sides stand ready to safeguard the international system with the UN as its core, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms governing international relations embodied in the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Both sides oppose all forms of hegemonism, power politics, unilateralism in any manifestation, and exclusive blocs targeting specific countries. The two countries are committed to strengthening cooperation on building a new type of international relations and building a better community with a shared future for mankind.

Both sides stand ready to safeguard the basic norms and core values of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and support the necessary WTO reform, especially the restoration and normal functioning of the binding two-tier dispute settlement mechanism. The two countries, both as developing countries, are willing to strengthen cooperation within the WTO framework to jointly safeguard the lawful rights of the developing nation members and promote the WTO to play a better role.

Both sides agree on adherence to true multilateralism. The Cambodian side applauds China’s important constructive role in promoting global peace and development and stands ready to participate in the GDI cooperation towards early implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals. Cambodia supports Global Security Initiative (GSI) and Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), and stands ready to work with China on global security governance towards common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and to uphold the humanity’s common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom.

Both sides reiterate commitment to open regionalism towards building a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful, and amicable home in the region, deepening China-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to build an even closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future. Both sides agree to enhance Lancang-Mekong Cooperation to promote the building of an even closer community with a shared future for Lancang-Mekong countries.

7. Both sides believe that with joint efforts of China and ASEAN Member States, the situation in the South China Sea has maintained overall stability. The two countries call on relevant parties to carry forward the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) fully and effectively, to enhance maritime cooperation, and reach an early conclusion on a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) on the basis of mutual consensus, to build the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation. Any attempt to use the South China Sea issue to undermine regional peace, stability and trust is counterproductive and should be avoided.

8. Both sides express satisfaction with the outcomes of the visit. Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei HUN Manet expresses sincere appreciation for the warm and friendly hospitality extended by Chinese leaders and people, and invites Chinese leaders to visit Cambodia at mutual convenience.

During the visit, the two sides signed Action Plan on Building a China-Cambodia Community with a Shared Future in the New Era between the People’s Republic of China and the Kingdom of Cambodia (2024-2028) and several other cooperation documents on “Industrial and Technological Corridor”, “Fish and Rice Corridor”, Infrastructure, Digital Economy, Green Development, Inspection and Quarantine, Forestry and Wildlife, and Development Cooperation.