Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s recent visit to Cambodia has underscored the strengthening ties between the two nations and their shared commitment to regional stability. The visit featured high-level meetings with Cambodian leaders, including an audience with King Norodom Sihamoni, highlighting the depth of the China-Cambodia partnership.
Wang Yi’s discussions with Cambodian officials focused on enhancing cooperation across key areas such as politics, people-to-people exchanges, agriculture, energy, security, and industrial capacity. Both countries expressed a mutual desire to deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership, with plans to promote tourism and cultural exchanges, strengthen economic collaboration, and jointly tackle issues like transnational crime.
The China-Cambodia relationship serves as a model for cooperation in the ASEAN region and the Global South. Initiatives like the “Diamond Hexagon” cooperation framework, the “Industrial Development Corridor,” and the “Fish and Rice Corridor” exemplify the fruitful collaboration between the two nations under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Since the implementation of the Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA) in January 2022, bilateral trade has seen significant growth, with increased Chinese investment contributing to Cambodia’s economic development. China remains a major trading partner and a key source of foreign investment for Cambodia.
Amid regional tensions, Wang Yi’s visit emphasizes the importance of peaceful diplomacy and collaboration. Cambodia’s adherence to the one-China principle and support for China’s legitimate rights in the South China Sea highlight a commitment to regional harmony over confrontation.
The visit serves as a reminder of the value of unity among Asian nations in opposing hegemonic practices and working together to promote stability and prosperity. Strengthening bilateral relations between China and Cambodia contributes not only to the well-being of their own peoples but also to the broader goal of peaceful development in the region.
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Wang Yi's Cambodia visit crucial for ties and regional stability
cgtn.com
