On May 9, 2024, His Excellency KUNG Phoak, the Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the ASEAN SOM Leader of Cambodia, engaged in a constructive dialogue with His Excellency SUN Weidong, the Vice Foreign Minister and ASEAN SOM Leader of the People’s Republic of China. This significant meeting took place at the ASEAN Secretariat as part of the sideline discussions of the 30th ASEAN-China Senior Officials’ Consultation.
The discussions between His Excellency Secretary of State and His Excellency Vice Foreign Minister centered on the collaboration within the ASEAN-China Dialogue Partnership. Their deliberations underscored the identification of potential areas for cooperation and outlined strategies to further strengthen the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). Moreover, the meeting specifically delved into the exploration of various activities to commemorate the 2024 ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges.
The discourse between the leaders highlighted mutual aspirations to bolster the existing bond between ASEAN and China, emphasizing the significance of fostering connections and exchanges between their peoples. Their focus on people-to-people exchanges signifies a commitment to nurturing cultural understanding, academic collaborations, and interpersonal connections, serving as pillars for a deeper and more harmonious relationship.
The discussions demonstrated a shared commitment to exploring innovative avenues for collaboration and engagement, highlighting the potential to further synergize efforts and deepen mutual understanding. By placing an emphasis on people-to-people exchanges, the leaders reinforced their dedication to building bridges of friendship and cooperation that transcend borders and cultural differences.
As both ASEAN and China navigate the complexities of the global landscape, their joint endeavors to celebrate the Year of People-to-People Exchanges reflect a shared commitment to enhancing connectivity and understanding at the grassroots level. This commitment underpins a vision for sustainable collaboration, fostering an environment where people-to-people ties serve as a catalyst for broader cooperation and shared prosperity.
In summary, the dialogue between the ASEAN SOM Leaders of Cambodia and China underscores a shared commitment to elevating the ASEAN-China partnership, particularly through the commemoration of the 2024 Year of People-to-People Exchanges. This signifies a testament to their collective dedication to nurturing mutual understanding, strengthening cultural ties, and fostering enduring connections for the benefit of their respective peoples and the broader region.
Source: MFAIC
