In a statement released on 19 Oct 2023, Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei HUN Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to high-quality cooperation during the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing.
The forum, held from October 16 to 19, brought together 23 heads of state/government, more than 140 countries, and over 30 organizations to discuss “High-quality Belt and Road Cooperation: Together for Common Development and Prosperity”. The event marked the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which has provided numerous benefits to developing countries, including Cambodia.
During his keynote speech, President Xi Jinping outlined eight major actions for international Belt and Road cooperation, including building a multidimensional connectivity network, promoting green development, and advancing scientific and technological innovation. Samdech Thipadei affirmed Cambodia’s full support for these initiatives, highlighting the importance of favourable policies and regulations to harness the potential of the digital economy.
The Prime Minister emphasized the need for increased funding for digital infrastructure in developing economies, particularly through the BRI. He also underlined the Royal Government of Cambodia’s commitment to transitioning from a conventional economic model to a resilient digital economy by introducing numerous digital-related policies.
During his visit, Samdech Thipadei met with His Excellency President XI Jinping, Their Excellencies Premier LI Qiang and CAI Qi, and other high-ranking officials. The two sides discussed various bilateral cooperation areas, including Cambodia-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Cooperation, green energy development, tourism, and agriculture.
The Chinese side pledged to encourage more tourists to visit Cambodia, while the Royal Government agreed to strengthen cooperation in joint tourism development, particularly in the “Three Countries, One Destination” initiative. Both sides also agreed to further enhance cooperation under the BRI framework, particularly in law enforcement and combating cross-border crimes.
Samdech Thipadei expressed his gratitude for China’s invaluable assistance and support, which have significantly contributed to socio-economic development in Cambodia. He reiterated Cambodia’s adherence to the One-China Policy and reaffirmed its close collaboration with regional and multilateral fora.
The forum yielded fruitful outcomes, including the signing of 10 bilateral cooperation documents in areas such as investment, production capacity, e-commerce, digital transformation, infrastructure, energy, and green development. Samdech Thipadei also paid courtesy calls on His Excellency Vo Van Thuong, President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, and His Excellency Thongloun Sisoulith, President of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
Overall, the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation demonstrated Cambodia’s commitment to regional cooperation and high-quality partnership. The Prime Minister’s visit marked an important milestone in strengthening bilateral relations with China and enhancing connectivity with regional partners.
Bilateral Meetings and Cooperation
- Samdech Thipadei paid a courtesy call on His Excellency President XI Jinping, deepening Cambodia-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Cooperation.
- The two sides spoke highly of the substantial development of Cambodia-China relations and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing diamond cooperation with six priority areas.
- Samdech Thipadei and President Xi jointly declared 2024 as the Year of People-to-People Exchanges between Cambodia and China, agreeing to strengthen tourism cooperation and modernizing agriculture in Cambodia.
- The two sides agreed to further enhance cooperation under the BRI framework, particularly in law enforcement and combating cross-border crimes.
Conclusion
The Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation marked an important step in strengthening Cambodia’s regional engagement and high-quality partnership. The Prime Minister’s visit demonstrated the country’s commitment to cooperation with regional partners, including China, Viet Nam, and Laos. As Cambodia continues to navigate its development path, it is essential to leverage these partnerships to promote economic growth, social stability, and environmental sustainability.