Phnom Penh, January 23, 2019 –The Kingdom of Cambodia and the People’s Republic of China have reached eight cooperation agreements, during the official visit of Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen in China from Jan. 20 to 23.
According to the National Television of Kampuchea (TVK), the eight cooperation documents were inked in Beijing yesterday under the witness of Samdech Techo Hun Sen and his Chinese counterpart H.E. Li Keqiang, following their bilateral talks.
Those signed documents are related to physical infrastructure improvement and construction projects, including the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville expressway project, ancient temple restoration, clean water supply, and investment cooperation promotion under Cambodia’s Rectangular Strategy and China’s One Belt, One Road initiative.
In the bilateral meeting, both Premiers expressed their satisfaction with the current progress in the relationship between Cambodia and China, and were committed to further boost the bilateral relations and cooperation for mutual benefits.
H.E. Li Keqiang underlined that the China-Cambodia cooperation is based on the spirit of mutual respect and mutual benefits. China has considered Samdech Techo Hun Sen as an old friend and despite external challenges and pressures, Cambodia remains a good development place, he noted.
The Chinese Premier affirmed that China will increase its import of Cambodian milled rice, continue its cooperation in renovating ancient Khmer temples, and buy more Cambodian products, particularly the agricultural ones.
H.E. Li Keqiang also accepted Samdech Techo Hun Sen’s invitation to visit Cambodia at his convenient time.
In reply, Samdech Techo Hun Sen thanked the Chinese side for the warm hospitality, stressing that his visit reflects the special relationship between the two nations.
The Cambodian Prime Minister informed his Chinese counterpart of his meeting with Chinese President H.E. Xi Jinping and of different projects under the Rectangular Strategy-Phase IV and the One Belt, One Road initiative. He thus sought financial support from the Bank of China to those projects which, he said, will bring about benefits to both countries.
Samdech Techo Hun Sen also expressed his gratitude to China for its support for the development of Cambodia and for the Royal Government’s measures to maintain peace, stability and security in the country.
Samdech Techo Hun Sen said Cambodia wishes to have a free trade agreement with China, while H.E. Li Keqiang agreed that both sides should begin discussing this issue in an appropriate time.
by Khan Sophirom
