Phnom Penh (FN), Apr. 23 – During his official visit to Cambodia, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced China's unwavering commitment to bolstering Cambodia's development, particularly across key sectors, including agriculture, industry and technology.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi paid a courtesy call on Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on 22 April 2024 at the Peace Palace.

Wang Yi affirmed that China and Cambodia enjoy a close and steadfast friendship. He expressed satisfaction with the effective cooperation between the two governments under a comprehensive strategic partnership.

The Chinese foreign minister underlined that Cambodia is playing an increasingly important role in the international arena, and that Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet's first official visit to China in 2023 significantly contributed to the deepening of friendly ties and solidarity between China and Cambodia.

Wang Yi stated that his current visit to Cambodia aimed to further support and enhance cooperation in establishing a new China-Cambodia community with a shared destiny in the new era.

For his part, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet extended a warm welcome to Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his delegation during their visit to Cambodia. He expressed gratitude and high appreciation for the Cambodian-Chinese cooperation, which has significantly contributed to the socio-economic development of Cambodia.

In addition, Premier Hun Manet commended the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which has played a crucial role in Cambodia's infrastructure development, including projects like the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway and Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport, thereby fostering economic growth.

Samdech Thipadei also expressed satisfaction and appreciation for the progress made under the diamond cooperation framework agreed upon by the two countries in 2023.

By designating 2024 as the year of people-to-people exchanges, Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed confidence that it would lead to an increase in investment flows and tourist arrivals from China.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Hun Manet also urged China to explore the possibility of enhancing cooperation in establishing the Cambodia-China Free Trade Area and developing more special economic zones.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening existing cooperation in the fields of defence, security, education, culture, and other areas, as well as expanding into new areas. Wang Yi underscored that the Chinese side would expedite the completion of the master plan to facilitate the realization of cooperation in “Industrial and Technological Corridor” and “Fish and Rice Corridor”, and to aid in the development and modernisation of Cambodia's agro-industrial sector in the near future.
=FRESH NEWS