Remarks by H.E. Mr. Xiongbo
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of Cambodia
At Gala Dinner In Commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the Establishment of China-Cambodia Diplomatic Relations
(July 2, 2018 Koh Pich City Hall, Phnom Penh )
Distinguished Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Royal Government of Cambodia, and Samdech Kittiprittbandit Bun Rany Hun Sen,
H.E. Mr. Hu Zhengyue, Vice President of the China Public Diplomacy Association,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,
Good evening!
It is our great honor today to have Samdech Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Royal Government of Cambodia, and Samdech Kittiprittbandit Bun Rany with us at the Gala Dinner in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cambodia. This showcases the great importance attached to the development of China-Cambodia relations by Prime Minister Hun Sen, as well as the profound friendship between the two countries that have been standing together through thick and thin. On behalf of the Embassy of China in Cambodia, I would like to extend our warm welcome and heartfelt appreciation to Prime Minister Hun Sen and Madam for their presence here tonight.
60 years ago, Premier Zhou Enlai and Late King-Father Norodom Sihanouk, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia jointly announced the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cambodia by exchanging correspondence, which ushered in a new chapter in China-Cambodian relations. At that time, Cambodia just gained national independence for 5 years, and it was no more than 10 years since the founding of the People's Republic of China. It is the common pursuit for national independence and liberation that bond us together. In a short span of 60 years, China has now become the world’s second largest economy, while Cambodia’s economy has maintained rapid development for 20 consecutive years and shown ever stronger development potential and vitality. What remains unchanged for the past 60 years is the traditional friendship between the people of China and the people of Cambodia, just like the mellow wine’s bouquet grows richer as time passes, demonstrating new vibrancy in the new era.
Looking back at our steps over the past 60 years, the profound heritage and unique characteristics displayed in China-Cambodia relations have illustrated the strong vitality of China-Cambodia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
China-Cambodia friendship is rooted in the long historical and cultural tradition over nearly two thousand years. Both countries boast ancient civilizations with splendid history. Rich cultural heritages have built in us the national characters of living in good-neighbourliness, honoring promises, promoting goodwill, as well as pursuing harmony without uniformity. Zhou Daguan, an envoy of China’s Yuan Dynasty in his masterpiece the Customs of Cambodia gave a vivid account of the prosperity during Chenla Dynasty and provided a credible guidance to the world in exploring and understanding the mysterious Angkor civilization.
The friendship between China and Cambodia was created and carefully nurtured by the older generation of leaders of the two countries. “When you drink the water, think of those who dug the well.” “One generation plants the trees in whose shade another generation rests.” With the achievements of China-Cambodia relations today, we should not forget the meritorious service of Chairman Mao Zedong, Premier Zhou Enlai, King-Father Sihanouk and other leaders of our two countries. For many years, Prime Minister Hun Sen has also been making important contribution to the thriving growth of China-Cambodia friendship.
China-Cambodia friendship relies on the strong strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries. The high degree of political mutual trust and strategic consensus that have been tested by international vicissitudes between our two leaders prove to be the most important political guarantee for the development of bilateral relations. President Xi Jinping reached important consensus with His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni and Prime Minister Hun Sen on the comprehensive advancement of China-Cambodia relations during a state visit to Cambodia in 2016, which has charted the course and and provided a blueprint for China-Cambodia relations in the new era, pushing the China-Cambodia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to a historic new height.
China-Cambodia friendship has benefited from the high degree of conformity between the development strategies and the highly complementary economic development of the two countries. China has become the largest source of foreign investment to Cambodia, as well as the largest trading partner, the largest foreign aid partner and the largest source of foreign tourists. The Belt and Road Initiative and Cambodia's Rectangular Strategy complement and reinforce each other, which not only helps Cambodia accelerate the transformation and upgrading of economy, but also provides a broad space for Chinese companies to enhance international cooperation and development.
The friendship between China and Cambodia is rooted in the cultural similarities and amity between our two peoples. The Chinese civilization and the Khmer civilization have been learning from each other through exchanges and interactions over the past two thousand years, which jointly made important contribution to the development of human civilization. Last year, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Cambodia exceeded 1.2 million. The goal of receiving 2 million Chinese tourists to Cambodia by 2020 is expected to be achieved ahead of schedule. To date, more than 2,000 Cambodian students have been awarded Chinese government scholarships to study in China. Each year, nearly 200 Chinese volunteer teachers come to Cambodia in support of Chinese language education.
China-Cambodia friendship also develops in the two countries’ close cooperation in international and regional affairs. Both China and Cambodia are staunch defenders of the principles of international relations such as the UN Charter and the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. The bilateral relations serves as a fine example of treating each other with mutual respect and equality among nations. Both sides are committed to actively promoting regional economic cooperation within the framework of China-ASEAN, 10+3, as well as other mechanisms on the basis of high-level political consensus, jointly safeguarding regional peace, stability and development. China and Cambodia have taken the lead in building a strategic community with a shared future, and will make important contribution to the shaping of a new form of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice, win-win cooperation as well as a community with a shared future for the region.
Looking ahead to the next 60 years, the Chinese people will, under the strong leadership of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as its core, make strides towards the goal of building a great modern socialist country on the basis of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects; Meanwhile, under the leadership of the Royal Government of Cambodia headed by Prime Minister Hun Sen, Cambodian people will make further progress in promoting comprehensive economic and social development toward the goal of becoming a middle-high income and even high-income country. We have every reason to believe that the cooperation between China and Cambodia in bilateral, regional and international arenas will be more and more extensive. The deepening of China-Cambodia cooperation will not only bring more benefits to our people of the two countries, but also make greater contribution for regional and global peace, stability and prosperity.
China would always be a good friend and a good partner of Cambodia, sharing weal and woe. The Chinese people are very happy to see the remarkable achievements made by Cambodia in its economic and social development, and will unswervingly support the Cambodian people in sticking to the development path that suits their own national conditions, unswervingly expand and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in such areas as Belt and Road Initiative implementation, unswervingly support the Cambodian side to play a more constructive role in international and regional affairs. We sincerely hope and believe that the Cambodian people will continue to make new and greater achievements on all fronts of national construction.
Now may I propose a toast,
To the continued development of China-Cambodia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership!
To the ever consolidating traditional friendship between our two peoples!
To the health and well-being of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen and Samdech Kittiprittbandit Bun Rany Hun Sen, as well as all the guests present!
Cheers!