Beijing (FN), Dec. 4 – Samdech Techo Hun Sen, President of the Cambodian Senate and the Cambodian People's Party, held a bilateral meeting on 3 December 2024 with Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and President of the People’s Republic of China, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China.
Samdech Techo expressed his deep gratitude to Xi Jinping for inviting him and the high-level delegation to visit China. He also conveyed a royal greeting letter from King Norodom Sihamoni to President Xi Jinping. Samdech Techo noted that this visit was a meaningful opportunity to return to China 20 months after his previous visit in February 2023.
Samdech Techo expressed his sincere appreciation to Xi Jinping for China’s support in constructing the Morodok Techo National Stadium, which enabled Cambodia to successfully host the SEA Games, fulfilling the aspirations of the Cambodian people and youth.
Samdech Techo also briefed the president on Cambodia’s leadership transition, highlighting that over the past year, the new generation of leaders has worked at a rapid pace to ensure political stability, sustain economic growth, maintain macroeconomic stability, curb inflation, and improve the livelihoods of Cambodians.
Regarding bilateral relations, Samdech Techo thanked the Chinese government for its multifaceted assistance to Cambodia, especially its timely provision of vaccines during the COVID19 pandemic, which enabled Cambodia to effectively manage the situation, prevent widespread outbreaks, and achieve a swift economic recovery and reopening.
Samdech Techo underscored the importance of strengthening political trust and confidence by fostering increased exchanges and cooperation between the two parties and the two states. He urged continued Chinese support through grants, loans, and investment promotion, which not only contribute to Cambodia’s socio-economic development but also reinforce its political independence.
Samdech Techo thanked President Xi Jinping for supporting the Funan Techo Canal Project, which dates back to the era of King Ang Duong. This project, Samdech Techo noted, will help Cambodia achieve independence in waterway transport and generate significant economic benefits.
Samdech Techo proposed three key areas for enhancing collaboration between China and Cambodia. First, he suggested strengthening security cooperation by combating cross-border crime, addressing fraud, cracking down on criminal activities, and eradicating online gambling, among other priorities. Second, he called for enhancing party-to-party relations through closer ties between the two parties, particularly by fostering mass movements and foreign relations. He underlined the importance of youth engagement and people-to-people exchanges to build strong and lasting connections for future cooperation. Lastly, he proposed deepening foreign relations, especially through active participation in regional and international forums.
Taking this opportunity, Samdech Techo also invited President Xi Jinping to pay another state visit to Cambodia, noting that such a visit would allow him to witness the country’s significant achievements since his last visit in 2016.
For his part, President Xi Jinping warmly welcomed Samdech Techo Hun Sen, expressing his pleasure at meeting him again as an old friend. He praised Samdech Techo as a veteran politician and a leader with a long-term vision and rare political experience, who has significantly contributed to strengthening the historic ties and cooperation between China and Cambodia. The president recalled Samdech Techo’s visit to China during the COVID19 pandemic, noting he was "deeply moved" by Samdech Techo's steadfast support for the Chinese people and the Communist Party of China during challenging times.
Xi Jinping underlined that China and Cambodia have consistently defended their shared interests amidst a rapidly changing and complex international landscape. He reaffirmed China’s commitment to building a high-quality Sino-Cambodian community with a shared future in the new era. He pledged continued cooperation with Cambodia as a partner in development and as a contributor to world peace.
President Xi Jinping agreed with Samdech Techo's assessment of Cambodia-China relations and highlighted the deep mutual support between the two countries as "iron-clad friends," committed to safeguarding their core interests. He also underscored the importance of exchanging views and experiences in party-building efforts. President Xi Jinping praised Samdech Techo’s role in strengthening the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) and noted similar efforts to enhance the Communist Party of China’s organisational strength.
The president called for seizing new opportunities for win-win cooperation within the framework of reforms, community building, and the implementation of the diamond cooperation initiative, including the construction of industrial and technological corridors and the fish and rice corridors. He also urged greater alignment between China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Cambodia's Pentagon Strategy under the new government.
Xi Jinping commended Cambodia's rapid development and improvements in people’s livelihoods. At the same time, Cambodia and China will continue to foster closer ties between their people, with Cambodia increasingly recognised as a popular destination for Chinese tourists. Xi Jinping added that the mutual trust between the two nations in navigating the complexities of the international landscape and reaffirmed China’s support for Cambodia’s growing engagement in regional and global affairs.
Finally, Xi Jinping graciously accepted Samdech Techo's invitation to visit Cambodia at an appropriate time in the future. He conveyed his warm regards to King Norodom Sihamoni and wished Samdech Techo and his delegation a productive and enjoyable visit to China.
=FRESH NEWS
