Li calls for stronger Cambodia ties
Premier urges greater alignment in development strategies, joint efforts for regional integration
Premier Li Keqiang called for heightened cooperation between China and Cambodia in infrastructure, production capacity, trade and economy, saying that Beijing stands ready to import more agricultural produce from the Southeast Asian country.
During a meeting on Nov 15, via video link, with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Li urged greater alignment in development strategies between the two nations and joint efforts to move forward with regional economic integration, as well as trade and investment liberalization and facilitation.
Li highlighted the importance of taking advantage of opportunities from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the bilateral free trade agreement to further lift bilateral cooperation.
The two nations signed a landmark free trade agreement — Cambodia’s first such bilateral deal — in October 2020 that envisages broader bilateral economic and trade cooperation in a host of sectors. The deal will eliminate tariffs on 97.53 percent of Cambodia’s exports to China, and on 90 percent of China’s shipments to the kingdom.
In the first half of this year, trade between the two sides reached $6.11 billion, up 44 percent year-on-year, according to the Ministry of Commerce.
Li said that China will, as always, support Cambodia in following a path that suits its national conditions and do its best to help the nation in fighting COVID-19, promoting economic recovery and improving people’s wellbeing.
Beijing is ready to maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges with Phnom Penh and keep consolidating mutual political trust, Li said.
He expressed China’s support for Cambodia in hosting the Asia-Europe Meeting in order to further promote pragmatic cooperation.
China will firmly support the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in playing a central role in the regional framework, the premier said, encouraging the bloc to take a greater role in regional and international affairs.
Hun Sen hailed China as an “ironclad friend”, saying that the two sides have always stood in solidarity during difficult times.
Cambodia appreciates China’s support for its social and economic development, he said, adding that the ASEAN member’s pandemic fight has secured a major outcome with support from Beijing.
He expressed his hope that the two sides can enhance cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure, public health, education and culture.
It is important to ensure that the bilateral free trade agreement can come into effect as scheduled next year — a key step to take bilateral trade to a higher level, he said.
Cambodia is willing to step up coordination with China to ensure the Asia-Europe Meeting can reach positive outcomes and to further enhance China-ASEAN relations, he said.
Separately, Premier Li on Nov 16 called on China and Africa to improve the quantity and quality of cooperation at the local level and enhance exchanges of experience in areas like urban governance, poverty alleviation and agricultural modernization.
Li made the remarks when addressing the 4th Forum on China-Africa Local Government Cooperation via video link.
China and Africa have been supporting and helping each other and have forged an unbreakable friendship, the premier said.
He called on China and Africa to sincerely treat each other on an equal footing, enhance solidarity and mutual trust and seek inclusive and sustainable development.
The two sides should also expand practical cooperation to draw a bright future for the 2.7 billion people from China and Africa, Li said.
China is ready to provide more vaccines and anti-pandemic supplies within its capabilities to meet the needs of Africa so as to jointly safeguard people’s health, he said.
The forum was held online and offline in Beijing and was attended by around 300 participants, including African political officials and heads of local governments and institutions from China and Africa.