PP, Beijing concur to expand ties across multiple sectors

PP, Beijing concur to expand ties across multiple sectors

Phnom Penh and Beijing yesterday agreed to expand cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, investment, digital technology, arts, culture, tourism sector and people-to-people exchanges.

The commitment to expand cooperation between the two capitals was discussed during a meeting between Phnom Penh Municipal Governor Khuong Sreng and Yin Li, Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee at Phnom Penh City Hall.

According to the Phnom Penh Municipal Hall press statement, Sreng stated that former Prime Minister and President of the Senate Mr Hun Sen was instrumental in transforming the relationship between Cambodia and China into an iron-clad friendship.

He also highlighted that the current Prime Minister Mr Hun Manet continues to uphold and strengthen the excellent and comprehensive relations with China, while encouraging future generations to further enhance and sustain this relationship for the long term.

“Mr Hun Sen transformed Phnom Penh from a war-torn ghost city into a rapidly developing metropolis following Cambodia’s liberation. However, despite the city’s advancement, challenges remain. Phnom Penh’s authorities must continue addressing issues such as traffic congestion and solid waste management,” Sreng said.

Phnom Penh Governor went on to say that through its strong China-Cambodia relations, Phnom Penh has strong friendship alliances with nine Chinese cities, including Beijing. This alliance with Beijing was established in 2018, before the outbreak of Covid-19. Through these partnerships, Beijing has extended substantial assistance to Phnom Penh, offering supplies, equipment, and medical resources to support the city’s fight against the pandemic.

On his part, Yin praised the rapid development of Phnom Penh across all sectors and expressed great interest in the city’s progress. He emphasised that China and Cambodia share a strong friendship, standing together in both times of prosperity and adversity, and sharing a common destiny.

Yin proposed four additional areas of collaboration between Phnom Penh and Beijing including maintaining strong relations by promoting cooperation based on the potential of both cities as well as strengthening trade cooperation in alignment with the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the existing China-Cambodia Free Trade Agreement. This includes expanding cooperation in the agricultural market and digital economy, encouraging Beijing enterprises to invest in Phnom Penh, and inviting the Governor of Phnom Penh to pay a working visit to Beijing.

He called for promoting deeper people-to-people relations through initiatives in culture, tourism, health, youth exchanges, and teacher-student associations and sharing experiences in urban management, urban planning, smart city development, infrastructure, and fostering cooperation between enterprises in two cities.

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