Chinese President Xi Jinping and Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni exchanged congratulatory messages on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cambodia. President Xi highlighted the enduring nature of the bilateral ties and their growth in the face of international challenges over the years.
President Xi noted the significant progress made in recent times, citing his meetings with King Sihamoni in Beijing and their regular correspondence as key milestones in advancing the China-Cambodia community with a shared future. The comprehensive “diamond hexagon” cooperation framework encompassing various sectors such as politics, production capacity, agriculture, energy, security, and people-to-people exchanges has been further deepened and enriched.
Emphasizing the remarkable achievements in the “Industrial Development Corridor” and the “Fish and Rice Corridor,” President Xi expressed his commitment to the continued development of the China-Cambodia friendship and the well-being of both nations’ people.
King Sihamoni emphasized the long-standing traditional friendship between the two countries, built on high-level mutual trust, mutual benefit, and win-win cooperation. He acknowledged the establishment of a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and the joint efforts in building a community with a shared future, which has fostered an unbreakable friendship.
King Sihamoni expressed confidence in the strengthened Cambodia-China ties, believing that under new circumstances, the two nations will deepen their friendly relations and cooperation for the benefit of both countries and contribute to regional and global peace, stability, and prosperity.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang also exchanged congratulations with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen, affirming their commitment to close cooperation across various sectors and achieving practical outcomes in the comprehensive strategic partnership.
Prime Minister Hun Sen reiterated Cambodia’s adherence to the one-China policy and support for China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and other significant proposals. He expressed the belief that cooperation under the framework of the BRI and other cooperation frameworks will yield substantial results in the fields of economy, poverty alleviation, people-to-people exchanges, and more.
According to Chen Xiangmiao, director of the world navy research center at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, the deepened China-Cambodia ties in the “new era” are likely to bolster cooperation within the BRI and other frameworks, facilitating advancements in economic cooperation, poverty alleviation, and people-to-people exchanges. Chen also highlighted the potential of the China-Cambodia relationship to serve as a positive model for China’s relations with ASEAN countries, while playing a guiding role in maintaining regional rationality amidst the complexities surrounding the South China Sea issue.
The commemoration of 65 years of diplomatic relations between China and Cambodia signifies the mutual commitment to strengthen ties, foster cooperation, and create a brighter future for both nations.