(1) Education restarted with empty hands in war and unjust punishment

… His Excellency Dr. Hang Chuon Naron made a report just now. We are putting into operation two new building in the vicinity of the Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC). Secondly, we have this graduation ceremony and diplomas conferment for 4,617 graduates […] demonstrating the progress of education and human resource training in our country. At the moment, HE Hang Chuon Naron mentioned of how he started his study in ITC. The same thing had been done everywhere at the national level at that time – both teachers and students swept and repaired schools in order to normalize schooling. It was like that. It’s a start from scratch and in dire straits, the war continued with unjust sanctions inflicted upon Cambodia from some foreigners […]

(2) Foreign friends must not make the third mistake

I have reminded some foreign friends, who came to see me, to please do not make a third mistake on us. What was the first mistake? What was the second mistake? The first mistake was that while claiming themselves democracy, they gave supports to a military coup in Phnom Penh (in 1970) […] plunging our country into a war that paved the way for Pol Pot (to come to power) […] as for the second mistake, do you remember that you continued to support the Khmer Rouge at the United Nations from 1979-91? You have never expressed regret over your foreign policy attitude towards my country. I just advise you not to make the third mistake in Cambodia […] some have acknowledged that was a big mistake in the past, but they did not dare to speak in the meeting. They whispered to us while leaving and never apologized or expressed regret […]

(3) Two Legacies of CPP for Cambodia and Cambodians

[…] I have spoken with up to two Singaporean delegations yesterday […] with one of them I have said that the success that comes from hardship is a success that is valuable and must be protected. l then referred to the peace factor that we have made great and relentless efforts to search for. We have to take care of it (because) it is the most valuable thing. What are the legacies that the CPP leaders left for the motherland? First of all, do not forget about saving lives through the day of liberation on January 7 (1979). If there is no day of liberation on January 7 (1979), do not talk about anything else, there would be just death. That is the truth. Does anyone dare to claim that s/he would still be surviving if there were no liberation on January 7 (1979)? However, these people have disfigured the facts of history. The second legacy is the participation of the government of the former People’s Republic of Cambodia and the State of Cambodia led by the Cambodian People’s Party in seeking peace for Cambodia through the establishment of the Paris Agreement. When it was over, we then entered the stage of implementing a win-win policy […]

(4) Ensuring Cambodia is free of landmines by 2025

The other day I talked about the history and the factual relationship between peace and war. We now have the opportunity everywhere to destroy all landmines by 2025 to ensure that people have access to land safely, or that travelers to remote and formerly inaccessible areas do not have mines dangers in mind. We will work to destroy and make the country mines free by 2025. It has taken us 30 years to clear mines, but as the country was torn apart by all-out war on a large scale, it is not over yet. Well, let me just remind you that whatever happened in our country in that period was difficult to imagine […]

(5) Economic resilience does not depend on occasional incomes, but on knowledge

We have been working gradually (on restoring and improving education) so far […] both in hardware infrastructure and software development – the human resource. We are encouraging investment in both hard and soft infrastructure. Human resources is a software infrastructure that we are focusing on […] within the framework of the whole country, we have a multi-billion dollar school buildings […] our partners can help us more on building infrastructure necessary for training human resources […] we should not be afraid to spend capital because the return (from such expense) is very large. Building school buildings and salaries of professors/teachers for providing knowledge for our youth and our people is majorly economically profitable for national development, and resilience for the economy does not depend on occasional income, but on knowledge at this stage […]

(6) Cambodia does not declare Kovid-19 as a common flu, please continue to protect

We have the opportunity to get together once again […] we are able to do more because we have Covid-19 under control. I do not think we declare Covid-19 a common cold as some countries did. We are a country with weak (health infrastructure), we must be careful. We do not impose the obligation to wear masks, but we also encourage people to continue wearing masks wherever for protection. We have not yet dropped our defenses. There is a European country that wanted to provide more vaccines to our country. His Excellency Mam Bunheng has already written a letter of thanks to the country. We cannot accept the vaccine at this time because we still have some 20 million doses of vaccines ready to shipped to Cambodia and some 6 million doses in stock […]

(7) Urgent review of relevant wildlife legal issues from restriction to incentive

[…] I have issued (an order) and asked for an urgent review of relevant legal issues. (Should there be one,) it needs to be amended from a restriction to an incentive to increase wildlife (population through protection and husbandry) […] raising wild birds should be encouraged rather than punished because there is no loss. On the contrary, it makes this country rich in birds, especially peacocks, which are rare and endangered species. (We may be) selecting some endangered species and encouraging breeding, providing real possibilities for the people to engage in this effort. (At the zoon) in Phnom Tamao, I am not sure if we can raise them well […] Last year, I saved a lion too […]

(8) Claiming to be democrats but do not respect true democracy

[…] I am taking this opportunity to call on all political parties in Cambodia to respect the rights of the people. For some time now, the youth groups or NGOs that used to support the opposition party and engaged in protests against the Royal Government on this/that issue are coming out and supporting the CPP and the Royal Government. Claim to be democrats, those people (in the opposition) do not respect true democracy. As long as people support them, they considered those supporters good persons. When the same people support the Royal Government, they call them people who sold put ideals, and more seriously insulting is that these people are foreign slaves and spending foreign money/staying abroad to fight against the Cambodian people […] these people, however, have been insulted by some political parties/individuals […] (in doing so,) you do not respect the political freedom of these young people. They know very well (that) it was useless to support the opposition in the past […]

(9) CPP always respects the right of members to choose

The CPP has never prevented its members from joining other parties. For those who go to other parties, we just respect their choice. Previously, there were three people who left the People’s Party (1), His Excellency Kong Koam, now he has claimed to stop doing everything and resigned. (2) Pi Tach, who left for a while and asked to come back. And third, Sam Sundoeun about whom I heard is in money exchange business. Those who left the CPP did not have a bright future. Those who once went, and have come back. We receive them back. Previously, some went to FUNCINPEC. In the FUNCINPEC era, they were rivals of the CPP, but when they returned to the CPP, We, in the CPP, accepted them. I think other parties should learn this and (have) a clear understanding of true democracy, respecting the people’s right to choose […]

CNV: 24/04/2017

In addition to the prepared text, speaking to the Inauguration the Cambodian-Vietnamese Friendship Bridge Jrey Thom-Long Binh, Samdech Techo Hun Sen made the following adlib comments on transforming former battlefields into development areas:

Today, I have a great pleasure to attend with H.E Nguyễn Xuân Phúc, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, in this Inauguration of the Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Chrey Thom/Long Binh Bridge, and the Connecting Road of the two countries, Cambodia-Vietnam” in Sampov Poun Commune, Koh Thom District, Kandal Province, the Kingdom of Cambodia, which is next to Long Binh District, Ang Yang Province, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Taking this opportunity, on behalf of the Royal Government and people of Cambodia, I would like to express my profound thanks to the Government and people of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam that rescued Cambodian people and country from Pol Pot Genocidal Regime, and highly evaluate the fraternity by contributing the resource in subsequent rehabilitation and development of Cambodian socio-economy. At the same time, Cambodia would like to congratulate the development of Vietnam Society, which will further boost the economic growth and development of neighboring country like Cambodia through this progress.
In fact, this inauguration is also perceived as the anniversary of diplomatic relation between Cambodia-Vietnam, which has been 50 years (1967-2017) by this 2017. Through this, we can say that this bridge and the connecting road is a gift of this 50th Anniversary of diplomatic relation between Cambodia-Vietnam. However, this achievement is not only the testimony of the great sympathy of the Government of Vietnam in strengthening and expanding the cooperation and solidarity between the two neighboring countries , but also strengthening the peace, stability, and order for the two nations and all countries in ASEAN as well as Mekong Sub-region. Moreover, this bridge and connecting road also strengthen and expand economic cooperation by opening the cross-border gateway, which will enhance the connectivity, promote the trade and tourism sector, and livelihood of people of the two countries.
Cambodia has accomplished abundance of achievements both in politics, security, social orders, and socio-economic development, which are pre-conditions for in-depth transitions in all aspects of socio-economy. Obviously, today we have Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Chrey Thom/Long Binh Bridge and Connecting Road between both countries, which is a very potential passage linking to markets and supporting the pace of Cambodian economic growth. With the recent additional accomplishment, Cambodia hopes to achieve an ambitious promotion of trade between both Cambodia and Vietnam to increase up to USD​5000 Million in the upcoming years that will contribute to maintaining the economic growth rate of around 7% in a year which is its growth objective after Cambodia has achieved an average growth of 7.7% in a year during two decades and that has liberated millions of Cambodian people from the poverty trap. Therefore, in order to continue Cambodian socio-economic development in a much faster pace with favorable regional and global integration, preservation of security, political stability, macroeconomic stability and sustainable growth is an important work.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to compliment related companies that have accomplished this achievement which includes SANCO One Corporation (Vietnam), Sok Sokha Company (Cambodia) (CIENCO1-SOK SOKHA) and Transport Engineering Design Joint Stock Inc. South of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam that has studied technical engineering design, as well as domestic company KCEC who successfully managed and supervised technical construction as planned. I would like to express my compliment and high evaluation on management and officials of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, local authorities as well as all related ministries and institutions who have made their utmost efforts to guarantee the successful achievement of strategic plan for the construction of various roads and bridges infrastructure throughout the country particularly this Chrey Thom/Long Binh Bridge and Connecting Road.

[Start of Comments]

Please allow me to speak a little bit in addition to my speech. I have set out this policy to transform former battlefields into marketplaces, and borders with neighboring countries to areas of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development. Cambodia shares over one thousand kilometers of border with Vietnam, about one thousand kilometers with Thailand and with Laos too. We want a border of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development to guarantee interest for people of both sides. We have realized already the objective of transforming former battlefields into marketplaces. We are now working on transforming border areas with neighboring countries into areas of development, cooperation, friendship, and as an important part in trade relations between our neighboring countries.

Since the translation has not reached to the level that I wanted to say, maybe I shall have to speak a bit in Vietnamese. When I speak in Vietnamese, some would say that I am a puppet (of Vietnam). However, when I speak in French or English, it seems no one has said I was a puppet of either of them. I am now speaking a few words in Vietnamese to stress on the meaning I wish to deliver to the Prime Minister and other leaders of Vietnam, and their people here.

Since it is not said anywhere in my prepared speech, I wish to reiterate the point I wanted to stress that we have transformed all former battlefields into market places and areas of development already. We are now working to make efforts with neighboring countries to transform borders (with neighboring countries) into areas of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development. I have asked people on both sides of the border, which one do they prefer, exchange of goods, tourism, exchange of visits, or fighting. I think that people on border sites all want peace and development, not war. I hope that the bridge we are putting into official use today is a part of connectivity efforts between our two countries that are good neighbors with tradition of friendship and cooperation in every field.

[End of Comments]

Finally, with an announcement of Inauguration of the “Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Chrey Thom/Long Binh Bridge and the Connecting Road of the two countries, Cambodia-Vietnam” at the moment, I would like to wish all venerable monks, and H.E. Nguyễn Xuân Phúc, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, national and international distinguished guests, and compatriots, the four gems of Buddhist blessing: Longevity, Nobility, Healthiness and Strength./.

CNV: 03/04/2017

The Samdech Techo Hun Sen Avenue Connects Phnom Penh and Kandal

I am so happy today to join with all of our people here to put into official use the avenue that links Phnom Penh and Kandal together. It is a new achievement for the Kingdom of Cambodia in general and for the people in Phnom Penh and Kandal in particular. I am so happy to see that through efforts made by the Phnom Penh and Kandal authorities, those of the ING Holdings included, we have made this achievement possible. The avenue will play very important role in diverting traffic pressure between Phnom Penh and its southern part as well as in the development of the Choeung Ek area, where they will spend some US$ 76 million on 54 hectares of land […]

Phnom Penh Expands from 300 to 700 Square Kilometres

In 1979, it was about in April too, or the Khmer New Year time, there was no traffic in Phnom Penh. In the area of Independent Monument, where I have resided, there were still coconut trees, and shrubs. Gradually, we have transformed a ghost city into one with marvellous revival. The city is even livelier now, and there are many more satellite cities around it.  Looking back into the history of Phnom Penh, from its birth to the present, Phnom Penh made a strong development in 1950s and 1960s. Now, from its previous 300 square kilometres size, Phnom Penh has expanded to some 700 square kilometres. In addition to that, Phnom Penh also witnesses intensive way of development.

What do I mean by that? On land area at the suburb or right in the city of Phnom Penh where there were constructions between 3,000 and 5,000 square metres per hectare, now it reaches up to between 50,000 and 100,000 square meters. Previously we have our construction between three and eight floors, now we have those between 40 and 50 floors, and the 125-floor building of 250 meters, tallest building in Southeast Asia, will come. This is an evolution witnessed in the process of development of the Kingdom of Cambodia. I find it hard to imagine all these are happening at the time of my leadership. This was a contrast development to when we first started that Samdech Heng Samrin and I had had to fetch home water from the Mekong River.

The Avenue Samdech Techo (Hun Sen)

In his report, HE Pa Socheatvong, mayor of Phnom Penh, proposed to call this road the “Samdech Techo Hun Sen Avenue.” Well, you may call it that. In Cambodia’s past, we have many important persons with the title of Techo – like Techo Yot, Techo Meas, etc. And Techo Sen is here standing. HM the King satisfactorily bestowed this title upon me. I will not disappoint HM the King and our people. This Techo person is confronting many situations and sharing both sadness and joy with our people at all times, especially when the country and people are in difficult time. It is the command that we must share sadness and joy altogether or we would lose peace, which is the foundation of national development. Should there be no peace, there would not be development […]

Make a Study of Possible Landing Strip

… We have built a large road for the benefit of public interest. The land of 54 hectares stretching along this road is the state public land. I would propose to HE Tia Banh, in his capacity as minister of National Defence, to survey the possibility of converting any part of this road as a landing strip […] We should conduct a study on emergency landing strip for some kind of planes, for instance ATR types. We may also have to think of the possibility of making it possible for military transport plane to land as well in case of emergency. This is my recommendation, which I think would eventually avert possible danger. It is a possible idea because the road width is 60 meters. We may also think of lighting system too to show where the landing strip would be at night […]

Salary Increase and Bonus in April

The month of March has passed. We are now working on the increase of salary on 1 April and it is payable before 10 April together with a bonus of 50,000 Riel. In this development, the state has had to accumulate over 7 million USD. Last year, we gave a bonus of 40,000 Riel for each civil servant across the board. We have discharged so much currency into the market, however, we have not noticed yet of any sign of devaluation. I hope that the weather condition this Khmer New Year will be cool – not too hot and too cold. At this time, last year, we declared emergency on water shortage, whereas this year, we have plenty of it. Between having none and having more water, the latter could be a better choice […]

Beware of Accidents from Traffics, Fire and Games; Price of Bus Tickets

I am taking this forum to appeal to our people, local authorities of all levels and the armed forces to exercise precautions in the forthcoming Khmer New Year. For our people, I am suggesting that they drive in careful manner, avoid games that may cause road accidents, for instance water bottle throwing, etc. I also urge our people’s attention to eventual fire disasters eventually caused by negligence of lighted incense sticks. We must take precautionary measure to prevent the Khmer New Year day from becoming a tragic day […]

I continue to appeal to owners of passenger buses not to increase prices of their services. If they had to, please do it in a rational manner. I have appealed on this matter almost every year and on occasions of the Phjum Ben and Khmer New Year days. However, because there have been high demand for transportations, coupling with wishes to make more money, the prices of bus services had gone up high. I am calling on owners of those services to make efforts to help our people in their journeys from Phnom Penh to their native places and return. I hope you consider my request for the sake of alleviating our people’s hardships.

Good Services Make Tourists Return

Tourist sites have extended to more than just in Siem Reap. This year we also have Sangkranta events held in other provinces such as Prey Veng. Last year, I have appealed that we must not have only Sangkranta Angkor event in Siem Reap. We may do the same in various other provinces to offer our people chances to enjoy the festivity. We have many tourist destinations and I am urging people doing business in those sites to do whatever they can to attract tourists. To guarantee this idea will work, the local authorities in those places must organize good security and public order and sellers would have to work on prices. They must not jack up prices at their own free wills or they would lose competition and tourists would go away […] Last year, we received over 50,000 foreign tourists but we must not forget that local tourists are never-drying source of income for local people. I hope that with increased salary and income, people will spend it everywhere in the whole country…/.