Cambodia-China relations: inseparable friendship
Phnom Penh: (most trustworthy friends) (good friends help each other in times of need) (iron friendship) (strategic partners from all angles) and (China-Cambodia community with a common future) are some of the other phrases that Often used to describe Cambodia-China relations and cooperation.
Based on the history, Sino-Cambodian relations date back to the 13th century. In modern times, formal diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on July 19, 1958. Since then, as a neighbor and close partner, Cambodia and China have established and nurtured inseparable ties (steel) through many historical trials and tribulations.
The Prime Minister of Cambodia, Samdech Techo Hun Sen, has repeatedly publicly stated that China is [Cambodia’s most trusted friend]. Bonding between the two countries is rooted in the principles of morality, peace, equality and equality, mutual respect and adherence to the principle of non-interference in each other’s internal affairs. Come on. Although there are no borders, the two countries are bounded by the Mekong and Lanchang rivers – we have a common river.
Cambodian politics is China’s oldest and closest ally. The two countries exchange high-level and regular state and official visits. Cambodia has always been a staunch supporter of the one-China policy.
The Chinese economy is the largest foreign investor in Cambodia and a major donor and trading partner of Cambodia.
According to statistics from the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), foreign direct investment (FDI] approved during 1994-2019, the largest percentage came from China [21.81%].
China has invested heavily in developing energy infrastructure and natural resources. In 2021, Chinese direct investment topped the list with a total investment of 2.326 million US dollars, an increase of 67% compared to 2020. In 2017, Cambodia received about $ 4.2 billion in development assistance [ODA] in the form of unpaid aid and concessional loans from China.
Strong people-to-people ties and social ties form the solid foundation for the continued development of friendly cooperation between Cambodia and China. In recent years, deepening cooperation in all fields has pushed Cambodia-China relations to the highest level.
In 2006, the two countries upgraded their bilateral relations to (Comprehensive Cooperation Partnership) and in 2010 upgraded to (Comprehensive Strategic Partnership).
The Kingdom of Cambodia was one of the first countries to support and adopt the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) launched by China in 2013, recognizing that significant economic development opportunities will be created.
In 2016, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on the establishment of a bilateral cooperation plan to jointly build the 21st century land and sea economic belt. A year later (the framework of the bilateral cooperation plan to jointly build the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Silk Road) was signed. Seven sectors are prioritized for cooperation, including agricultural infrastructure, industrial capacity building, culture and tourism, finance and environmental protection.
In April 2019, Cambodia and China signed (Action Plan 2019-2023 on Building a Sino-Cambodian Community with a Common Future). Under the action plan, the two countries are committed to implementing 31 measures in five areas: politics, security, economy, people-to-people relations and multilateral cooperation.
Cambodia and China most recently signed the Free Trade Agreement [CCFTA] in October 2020, marking the beginning of a new era of comprehensive strategic cooperation between the two countries. Cambodia’s significant role in the Belt and Road Initiative and a strong partnership with China on trade and investment are highlighted in the Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement and demonstrate the commitment of Cambodia for the Global Development Initiative [GDI], the Global Security Initiative [GSI] and the Common Future Community.
[Forwarded from Sovannara Yen]
The outbreak of the Kovid-19 pandemic tested the global unity and resilience of countries’ responses to the pandemic. As Cambodia faces the serious challenges of Kovid-19, China has done its utmost to assist Cambodia in the fight against the epidemic. Prime Minister Hun Sen’s visit to China in February 2020, while the situation of the Kovid-19 epidemic in China is still severe, shows Cambodia’s strong support for China.
China’s support for Cambodia in the fight against epidemics by providing Cambodia with millions of doses of vaccine shows that Prime Minister Hun Sen has made the right decision in choosing China as a major source of vaccines. Of the country and a strategic vaccine supplier.
China also played an important role in reviving Cambodia’s economy after Kovid-19. Regarding the South China Sea issue, Cambodia has always called on all parties to adopt a peaceful solution and continue to use the ASEAN-China mechanism for the full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea [DOC] and Encourage ASEAN and China to work more closely to achieve the South China Sea Code of Conduct [COC].
More importantly, Cambodia’s neutral and just stance on the South China Sea has contributed to maintaining peace, security and stability in the region while promoting the mutual benefits that emerge from the relationship between the two countries. ASEAN and China.
Cambodia also maintains good relations with China at the multilateral level within the ASEAN framework, such as the ASEAN + 1 Cooperation Framework, ASEAN + 3 and the Mekong-Lan Chang Cooperation Framework. The two countries fully adhere to the principles of multilateralism, especially the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization [WTO] as the core driving force for promoting international relations based on the principles of mutual respect. Equity and win-win cooperation.
Cambodia’s steel ties with China have strengthened and expanded cooperation between ASEAN and China, as well as guaranteed the rights and interests of developing countries, enhanced mutual understanding and trust, and promoted peace and stability in the region. Area. Despite the Kovid-19 pandemic, ASEAN and China remain the largest trading partners and maintain growth. Including the bilateral framework and the multilateral framework of Cambodia-China relations. In addressing international challenges, strong experience in bilateral dialogue, accelerating relations at all levels of the two countries. Therefore, China-ASEAN relations have entered a new page of strategic partnership to jointly build a community with a common future for humanity.
