Kingdom and China pledge close military cooperation
PRIME Minister Hun Manet on December 4 met with He Weidong, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of China, to discuss continued military cooperation through agreements between their respective defence ministries on human resource training and demining operations.
According to the premier’s social media statement, Weidong mentioned the historically strong relationship between Cambodia and China and their shared commitment to promoting this relationship and strengthening bilateral ties, in line with the diamond cooperation framework.
“Under the wise leadership of the prime minister, cooperation between the two countries will grow even stronger, with the aim of achieving a common destiny for Cambodia and China,” said He.
Manet said the leadership of China have always paid close attention to maintaining good relations with Cambodia, noting that 2023 marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, from the time of the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk, to the time of former Prime Minister Hun Sen, to the present day.
Manet also recalled how, when he was deputy commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) and commander of the Royal Cambodian Army, he took the initiative to strengthen cooperation between the two countries’ armed forces, even collaborating on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) which led to improving unitto-unit relationships and training exchanges that enhanced the capacity of the Cambodian army.
The two sides committed to continued support for the communication and cooperation activities
agreed upon by their respective defence ministries, including on training, and the disposal of mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO).
On the same day, He also met with Hun Sen, president of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), at the CPP headquarters in Phnom Penh.
According to a CPP social media post, during the meeting, Hun Sen claimed that the CPP and the Cambodian government have adhered to the one-China policy since the very beginning, and have supported China’s role in the international arena for the benefit of the region and the world as a whole.
He explained that China’s progress not only helps to strengthen the world’s secondlargest economy itself but also benefits the development of other regions and countries.
“Cambodia and China must continue to strengthen and expand their comprehensive strategic partnership, ironclad friendship and diamond cooperation framework. They must promote the industrial, technology and fish and rice corridors to jointly build a common destiny in the future,” he said.
Kin Phea, director of the Royal Academy of Cambodia’s International Relations Institute, noted that Sino-Cambodian relations have reached the highest unprecedented level in history as the two sides continue to commit to further strengthening their ties.
He said the two countries have good cooperation in almost all fields, including the economic sphere, people-to-people contacts, and both bilateral and multilateral frameworks.
“This excellent relationship is the result of the will of both nations, as well as of mutual geopolitical needs,” he added.
He explained that the relations between Cambodia and China should not present a challenge to Cambodia’s relations with any other nations, as the Kingdom has never restricted diplomatic ties with any country. It has always diversified its foreign policy, economy and trade.