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China has pledged to assist Cambodia in six critical economic areas, including the development of green energy and infrastructure, modernization of technology, agriculture, and healthcare, and the acceleration of corridor projects. These agreements were reached during the recent visit of Hun Sen, President of the Senate of Cambodia, to China from December 2-4, 2024.

According to a press release from the General Secretariat of the Senate, China has committed to providing grants or concessional loans to support these projects. Cambodia, in turn, has decided to align its Pentagonal Strategy with China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a move set to strengthen economic ties between the two nations.

Under the “Diamond Cooperation” framework, both countries will collaborate on key areas, including the establishment of industrial and technology corridors, rice and fishery corridors, the promotion of green energy, interconnected infrastructure, and advancements in agriculture, healthcare, and technological innovation. Additionally, China plans to encourage more investors, tourists, and officials to visit Cambodia to deepen economic cooperation and foster mutual benefits for citizens.

The initiative also seeks to enhance collaboration in tourism, cultural exchanges, education, training, and youth delegation visits, with active support from relevant institutions.

During his three-day mission, Hun Sen held bilateral meetings with key Chinese leaders, including Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China; Wang Huning, Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference; and Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China (SCNPC). Senior Cambodian officials, including Prak Sokhonn, Tea Banh, Sun Chanthol, and Hun Many, accompanied him during these discussions.

Both sides praised the strong bilateral relationship, emphasizing their comprehensive strategic partnership and shared vision for a high-quality future. Beijing reiterated its support for Cambodia’s development path, emphasizing mutual respect, collaboration, and a shared commitment to building a Cambodia-China community of shared future in the new era.

Dr. Seun Sam, a policy analyst at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, highlighted the strategic alignment between Cambodia’s Pentagonal Strategy and China’s BRI, describing it as a potential pathway for significant economic gains. He noted that the BRI spans over 142 countries across Asia and Europe, focusing on interconnected infrastructure investments.

“China offers loans to facilitate participation in the BRI, enabling countries to achieve unprecedented economic growth,” Dr. Sam explained. However, he emphasized the importance of efficient loan management, cautioning Cambodia to carefully consider repayment obligations to China.

This new phase of collaboration is set to strengthen bilateral ties, accelerate economic development, and create long-term benefits for both nations.

Source: Khmer Times

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In his inaugural visit to China since assuming office in April, Senate President Hun Sen expressed heartfelt gratitude to President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government for their steadfast support of Cambodia’s landmark Funan Techo Canal (FTC) project. During their meeting in Beijing, the two leaders emphasized deepening ties between the “iron-clad” allies, building on decades of mutual trust and cooperation.

Xi Jinping, who also serves as General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC), warmly welcomed Hun Sen, President of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), underscoring the enduring partnership between the nations.

Celebrating Key Achievements and Leadership Transitions

According to a statement by the Cambodian Senate, Hun Sen acknowledged China’s invaluable contributions to Cambodia, including the Morodok Techo National Stadium, which enabled the successful hosting of the SEA Games, a milestone achievement for Cambodia’s youth and sporting aspirations.

Hun Sen also briefed Xi on Cambodia’s smooth leadership transition, praising the new generation of leaders for maintaining political stability, ensuring macroeconomic balance, curbing inflation, and improving the lives of citizens. He highlighted the significant role of China’s COVID-19 vaccine support in revitalizing Cambodia’s economy and reopening the country after the pandemic.

Expanding Bilateral Cooperation

Hun Sen expressed his desire to enhance political confidence and mutual trust through stronger exchanges between governments and ruling parties. He encouraged continued Chinese support through grants, concessional loans, and investments to accelerate Cambodia’s socio-economic progress while safeguarding its political independence.

Special appreciation was extended to Xi for China’s support of the Funan Techo Canal project, a transformative $1.7 billion infrastructure initiative jointly funded by the Cambodian government, the private Cambodian group OCIC, and China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC). The canal, designed to enhance Cambodia’s independence in waterway logistics, symbolizes the unwavering partnership between the two nations.

Reinforcing Cooperation in Security and Regional Affairs

Hun Sen stressed the importance of closer collaboration in combating transnational crimes like fraud and online gambling. He also proposed bolstering youth exchanges, people-to-people interactions, and inter-party cooperation to strengthen ties. Furthermore, he emphasized the necessity of unified efforts in regional and international forums to promote shared interests and mutual goals.

Xi Jinping reaffirmed China’s commitment to Cambodia, emphasizing the priority placed on their friendship in China’s neighborhood diplomacy. He expressed a vision for a “high-quality, high-level, and high-standard” China-Cambodia community with a shared future, highlighting the importance of strategic communication and cooperation.

Progress of the Funan Techo Canal Project

The Funan Techo Canal, inaugurated on August 5, 2024, has been lauded as a logistics game-changer for Cambodia. Measuring 100 meters wide upstream and narrowing to 80 meters downstream, with a depth of 5.4 meters, the canal supports two-lane vessel navigation. The project also includes the construction of three dams, 11 bridges, a 208-kilometer sidewalk, and other cross-river infrastructure.

Despite skepticism from some foreign media, Cambodian and Chinese officials remain confident in the project’s funding and timely completion. Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol assured that construction is on track, with teams awaiting optimal water levels to continue pole placements and roadmap development.

The Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) reiterated the government’s commitment, noting that technical teams have completed detailed research and assessments to minimize impacts on communities and infrastructure. Prime Minister Hun Manet reaffirmed the government’s dedication to responsible project implementation, addressing local concerns and ensuring adherence to proper guidelines.

“Do you expect us to complete the canal in just three months? A project cannot be broken ground on today and immediately implemented tomorrow,” Hun Manet emphasized, urging patience and understanding.

Also read, Cambodia’s Funan Techo Canal Project – Progress, Transparency, and Commitment

A Testament to Enduring Friendship

Hun Sen’s visit to China highlighted the strength of Cambodia-China relations and the shared vision for a prosperous future. The Funan Techo Canal project, as a symbol of this partnership, reflects both nations’ commitment to collaborative development and regional stability in an increasingly complex global landscape.

Source: Khmer Times

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