Cambodia, China agree to deepen traditional ties

by Ben Sokhean
September 26, 2024

Khuon Sudary (L), President of the National Assembly, pays a courtesy call on Wang Huning, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference of China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, on September 24. National Assembly

Cambodia and China agreed to further deepen their traditional relationship, ironclad friendship, and comprehensive strategic partnership to realise a “Community with a Shared Future” during a meeting between National Assembly President Khuon Sudary and a key Chinese political leader.

Sudary is leading a delegation on a five-day official trip to China, visiting Beijing and Shanghai from September 22-25.

The visit aims to further strengthen and deepen the ties of friendship and cooperation between the two legislatures, Cambodia and China, in both bilateral and multilateral frameworks.

The high-level parliamentary visit also seeks to promote people-to-people exchanges, which are the foundation of cooperation in areas such as tourism, culture, economy, trade, and education.

On Tuesday, Sudary led a high-level delegation to pay a courtesy call on Wang Huning, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing.

According to Cambodia’s National Assembly, during the meeting, both sides agreed to further deepen the traditional relationship, ironclad friendship, and comprehensive strategic partnership to realise a Community with a Shared Future.

Wang highly valued the bilateral relationship with Cambodia and expressed continued support for Cambodia’s socio-economic development, respecting its sovereignty and independence.

For her part, Sudary expressed deep appreciation for China’s support, describing it as a catalyst for Cambodia’s socio-economic development, political independence, and national self-determination and ownership.

Both leaders shared a vision and commitment to promoting an open, inclusive, fair, and just international order and global governance.

Sudary emphasised that the “ironclad friendship” between Cambodia and China remains unbreakable despite regional and international changes and highlighted that this relationship is being nurtured from generation to generation.

“This meeting marks another significant step in the enduring partnership between Cambodia and China, reinforcing their shared goals and mutual trust, respect, and understanding for the mutual benefit of the peoples of both countries,” the National Assembly said.

On the same day, Sudary also led a high-level Cambodian parliamentary delegation to visit the Museum of the Communist Party of China (CPC), a significant historical site in China.

The Museum of the Communist Party of China, inaugurated on 18 June 2021, commemorates the 100th anniversary of the CPC.

It serves as a comprehensive exhibition space showcasing the Party’s achievements over the past century and highlighting its mission of seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation.

During the visit, Sudary also wrote in the museum’s book: “On behalf of the high-level Delegation of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia and on my own behalf, I am deeply impressed and proud of the work of the Museum of the Communist Party of China, which not only reflects the outstanding and perfect architectural style and glorious civilisation of China, but also reflects the strength, national unity and lasting influence of Chinese theory and philosophy.”

She noted that through this historical museum, people could learn about the great struggles and accomplishments of the Chinese Communist Party, from its past to its vision of a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, and harmonious in the future.

At the conclusion of her message, Sudary expressed her hopes for the future: “May the traditional relationship, ironclad friendship, and comprehensive strategic partnership between Cambodia and China continue to progress and move forward, bringing practical benefits to both nations.”

On Monday, the two countries also signed two key documents: an Agreement on Cooperation and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation between the two parliaments, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, following bilateral talks between the leaders of the two parliaments.

Sudary’s visit to China marks her fifth official foreign visit in the 7th legislature, following trips to Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and France.