Interview: Stand side by side to ensure success of building enduring all-weather Cambodia-China community with shared future: Cambodian PM

PHNOM PENH, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Amidst the fast-changing international situation, Cambodia and China should stand side by side to tackle the emerging complex challenges and ensure continued progress in the building of an enduring all-weather Cambodia-China community with a shared future in the new era, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said in a recent written interview with Xinhua.

Cambodia and China enjoy excellent relations rooted in age-old history, he said. "This is an exemplary relationship that remains unbreakable despite the changing regional and international landscape."

The two countries have enjoyed an annual double-digit growth for many years, and two-way trade has further accelerated after the entry into force of the Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

He said Cambodia notes with satisfaction further acceleration of its economic and trade cooperation with China after the entry into force of the RCEP and the CCFTA.

Hun Manet said since the implementation of the two agreements, Cambodia has seen a substantial increase in the export of Cambodian products into China, as the kingdom now has better access to the huge Chinese market.

"Furthermore, the favorable trade environment created by RCEP and CCFTA has also enhanced Cambodia's competitiveness and positioned the country as an attractive investment destination for Chinese businesses, and those from other countries," he said.

The prime minister said there is enormous potential and room for further growth of Cambodia-China economic and trade exchange.

He said Cambodia is among the first to support the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) because its core principles are in line with those of Cambodia.

"In fact, Cambodia has benefited significantly from the BRI, with energy, transport and other economic infrastructure projects having contributed to Cambodia's remarkable growth for the last two decades," he said.

Hun Manet said that to name a few, Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway has enhanced transport efficiency for the movement of goods and people between the Economic Poles of Phnom Penh and the Sihanoukville, and the Sihanoukville Special Economy Zone (SSEZ) is another concrete outgrowth of the BRI project that supports hundreds of thousand employments in Cambodia, particularly in the garment industry.

"Therefore, Cambodia is confident that the alignment of our national strategy, the Pentagonal Strategy Phase-I, with the BRI will create synergies for sustainable development and high growth as already proven earlier, leading to the achievement of Cambodia's 2050 vision," he said.

Hun Manet said the Global Development Initiative (GDI) fosters collaboration on infrastructure projects, trade, connectivity, and sustainable technologies.

"Cooperation under GDI will support the realization of our national development goals, as they are well aligned with those of the GDI," Hun Manet said.

The Global Security Initiative (GSI) aims at promoting peace, stability, and cooperative security through dialogue and mutual respect.

"Cambodia-China cooperation on promoting GSI would contribute to strengthening bilateral security cooperation, improve law enforcement coordination for counterterrorism and combating transnational crimes," he said.

The Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) aims to enhance mutual understanding and respect for cultural diversity through the proliferation of cultural expression and preservation of cultural heritage.

"It supports sustainable development through ecotourism, educational, technological and knowledge exchanges that aids modernization efforts while preserving its cultural and natural heritage," he said.

The prime minister said that recently, he set up an Ad-hoc Commission comprising key institutions to provide coordinated and strategic guidance in combating cybercrimes and online scams, in ways that are both effective and sustainable.

"Cooperation that led to the recent successful operations should be strengthened," Hun Manet said. "By combining China's cybersecurity resources with Cambodia's local insights, we can be even more effective in addressing the threat of cybercrimes." Enditem