In a move that underscores the deepening relationship between Cambodia and China, Beijing has deployed its Foreign Minister to the Kingdom amid the ongoing Cambodia-China exchange year. The visit is centered around participating in the seventh intergovernmental coordination committee (ICC) meeting from April 21 to 23, with a key focus on advancing Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects.
This marks the second visit by Wang Yi, a high-ranking member of the Communist Party of China and the current Foreign Minister, to Cambodia following Prime Minister Hun Manet’s ascendancy to office. During his stay, Wang is expected to be received by King Norodom Sihamoni in an official royal audience at the Royal Palace. His itinerary also includes engagements with several of Cambodia’s top leaders, including former Prime Minister Hun Sen, the newly appointed President of the Senate, and Prime Minister Hun Manet himself.
A significant agenda item is the Seventh Cambodia-China ICC meeting, which Wang will co-chair alongside Sun Chanthol, Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice-Chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC). Initiated by Chinese President Xi Jinping, the BRI has been a cornerstone of China’s international cooperation efforts, and this meeting aims to bolster the initiative’s projects within Cambodia.
Moreover, Wang’s discussions with Sok Chenda Sophea, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC), are anticipated to further strengthen the multifaceted partnership between the two nations, touching on topics of mutual interest and cooperation across a broad spectrum of areas.
The visit, which aligns with the Cambodia-China People-to-People Exchange Year, is poised to reinforce the robust friendship and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Cooperation between the two countries. Emphasizing the Diamond Cooperation framework, the engagements are focused on promoting a high-quality, high-level, and high-standard shared future, aiming to elevate collaboration across regional and global forums for the reciprocal benefit of both nations.
Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the PRC’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted that Wang’s visit plays into China’s broader diplomatic outreach to Southeast Asian countries amidst a competitive strategic landscape in the Asia-Pacific region.
Lor Vichet, Vice President of the Cambodia Chinese Commerce Association, noted the significance of such high-level visits in enhancing bilateral relations and propelling high-quality BRI projects that are pivotal for infrastructural development and regional economic integration.
One notable commitment from a previous meeting in August 2023, just before Hun Manet’s official promotion to Premier, was China’s pledge of 300 million yuan ($41.34 million) towards developing high-speed railway infrastructure linking Cambodia with neighboring Thailand, Laos, and China, as discussed by Wang with Sun Chanthol.
The upcoming 7th Cambodia-China ICC meeting is a testament to the ongoing collaborative efforts between the two countries, with discussions aimed at addressing a wide range of topics. A joint statement is anticipated following the meeting, detailing the outcomes and future directions of this bilateral cooperation.
Source: Khmer Times
