- E. Xiong Bo, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of Cambodia;
- Samdech, His and Her Majesty, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
- Distinguished National and International Guests!
My wife and I are truly delighted to participate in the “Celebration of 60th Anniversary of Cambodia-China Diplomatic Relations Establishment”,organized by the Embassy of China to the Kingdom of Cambodia this evening. During this solemn opportunity, on behalf of the Royal Government and people of Cambodia, and on my own behalf, I would like to thank our friend, China, who have always financially and technically supported on human resource training, and infrastructure development. These supports are vital to contribute to the Cambodian socio-economic development.
I would like to recall that Cambodia and China had established official diplomatic relation on 19 July, 1958 after the first bilateral meeting between His Majesty the late King of Cambodia, Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk and H.E. Zhou Enlai, former premier of the People’s Republic of China during the Bandung Conference in April 1955 in Bandung, Indonesia, and the frequent exchanges of visits of high level leaders of the two countries during 1956. This historical friendship has been jointly established by His Majesty the late King of Cambodia, Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk and H.E. Chairman Mao Zedong and H.E. Prime Minister Zhou Enlai as well as Chinese Leaders in previous generations, who have constantly developed the relations until becoming a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Cooperation on 13 December 2010.
Over the past 60 years, leaders of the two countries have always made efforts to maintain the friendship, and overcome many obstacles in order to lead the countries and the citizens toward progress, prosperity, and harmony. Meanwhile, the development of China has not only promoted the livelihood of the Chinese Citizens, but also contributed to the socio-economic development of Cambodia and other countries in the region and the world. In fact, under the regional framework, China has launched the “One Belt, One Road” initiative, established “Silk Road Fund” and “Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank-AIIB” in order to strengthen partnership and promote the “Win-Win” development between countries encircled by the Belt and Silk Road regions through connectivity cooperation of physical infrastructure, institution and people, businesses, finance, culture and other key sectors, that Cambodia would like to fully support this important initiative.
I believe that friendship and cooperation between our two countries will contribute to building a community of common destiny for all mankind as H.E. President Xi Jinping has recently mentioned.
- Samdech, His and Her Majesty;
- Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen!
The official visit and co-chairing of H.E. Ly Keqiang, premier of the People’s Republic of China, at the 2nd Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Leader’s Meeting on 10-11 January 2018 in Phnom Penh, was the Opening of the celebration of 60th Anniversary of Cambodia-China Diplomatic Relations. Since the beginning of 2018, Cambodia has organized many events such as the Cambodia-China Mixed Arts Performance along with the celebration of Chinese New Year, the Photo Exhibition, Cambodia-China Business Form 2018, the 1st Cambodia-China Tourism Summit and other continuous activities until the end of this year including: the exchanges of visit at all levels as well as the exchanges of people-to-people, youth-to-youth, and organizing the workshop on the promotion of tourism, trade and investment sector.
With regard to the economic cooperation, China has been the major trade and investment partner of Cambodia. The bilateral trade of the two countries in 2017 reached USD 5,577 million, which was the increase of 21.7%, compared to 2016. In 2017, the total Chinese investment capital in Cambodia was ranked number 1, compared to the other investment capital from other countries, with the total of USD 1,644 Million. Moreover, our two countries have also agreed to boost bilateral trade up to USD 6,000 million by 2020.
In terms of tourism sector, 15 airline companies are operating regularly between Cambodia and China. In 2017, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Cambodia was approximately 1.2 million. By the first semester of 2018, Cambodia has received 1.7 million foreign tourists, and 50, 0000 of the total number are Chinese tourists.
I would like to highly evaluate the Chinese Government on the respect of our independence, sovereignty, and various measures implemented by the Royal Government of Cambodia in order to protect social security and stability. Cambodia would like to congratulate on the positive and fruitful outcome of the cooperation achieved previously, and Cambodia is highly committed to enhancing the scope of our relations under Cambodia-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Cooperation to the new height for the benefit of our peoples.
In this great moment, I would like to invite Samdech, His and Her Majesty, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen to cheer for the close and solid friendship between our countries and peoples “Cambodia-China” to be forever sustained.
Before ending, I would like to sincerely thank H.E. Xiong Bo, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of Cambodia and your Colleagues, who have made effort to foster the relations and cooperation of our two countries.
Finally, with the Celebration of 60th Anniversary of Cambodia-China Diplomatic Relations, I would like to wish Samdech, His and Her Majesty, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen the healthiness, Happiness, and great success in all endeavours.
Thank!
