Phnom Penh (FN), Nov. 11 – Cambodia-China agreed to accelerate the building of Cambodia-China Community of Shared Future is a common aspiration and meets the fundamental interests of the two peoples, according to the joint communiqué seen by Fresh News on Friday (Nov 11).
“Both sides agreed to build on implementation of the Action Plan on Building Cambodia-China Community of Shared Future signed in 2019 and seek an updated action plan, with following highlights:
(a) Strengthen high-level strategic engagement. China will continue to facilitate Cambodian king Norodom Sihamoni and queen mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk in their physical examination and recuperation in China. Chinese leaders look forward to exchanges of visits with Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen and other Cambodian leaders at convenience of both sides.
(b) Put into full play the role of the Inter-governmental Coordination Committee between Cambodia and China. The two sides will hold the 7th meeting of the Committee at an opportune occasion, to enhance over-arching guidance and coordination in various fields. Leading departments on both sides are tasked to map out and advance cooperation across the board, while the two Foreign Ministries are responsible for the full implementation of the Agreement on Strengthening Cooperation Under New Circumstances.
(c) Tap into the potential of the mechanism of military exchanges and cooperation by enhancing engagements at all levels of the two defense and military departments, with enhanced pragmatic cooperation in such areas as joint training and exercises, equipment, technology, medical service, logistics, and multilateral security. Law enforcement cooperation is to be furthered with highlights on combating human trafficking, online gambling, telecom fraud and related heinous crimes, facilitated by closer cooperation in capacity building and information exchanges. Efforts will be made to further implement the cooperation agreement under the framework of Cambodia-China Joint Working Group on Safety and Security of Belt and Road.
(d) Promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation through greater synergies between development strategies. Building on Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone, the two countries will deepen cooperation in production capacity investment to help Cambodia accelerate the development of a modern industrial mix and make Sihanouk province a multipurpose special economic zone, with a view to forging a mutually beneficial industrial and supply chain. Major projects such as the Siem Reap Angkor International Airport, Sihanoukville-Hong Kong Submarine Cable Project, and supporting infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, logistics and warehousing will be speeded up. Both sides support closer cooperation on clean energy to support green economy, energy efficiency and conservation and emission reduction in Cambodia.
Make full use of the mechanism of Cambodia-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Committee, Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement to promote bilateral trade. Expand export of quality Cambodian products into the Chinese market through promotion events such as China International Import Expo, China Import and Export Fair, ASEAN-China Expo, and bilateral e-commerce cooperation mechanism. Focus on across-the-spectrum agriculture cooperation, the Chinese side reaffirmed its position to expand Chinese market access for agricultural products and commodities from Cambodia, and to provide intellectual, financial and technical support for modern agriculture development in Cambodia.
Build on the Cambodia-China Traditional Chinese Medicine Cooperation Center to support public health services in Cambodia. Supply COVID19 vaccines in accordance with Cambodia’s needs.
The Chinese side will continue to support poverty reduction in Cambodia via Rural Roads Project Phase III, Rural Water Supply Project Phase III, Preah Sihanouk Provincial Referral Hospital Project, Municipal Sewage System Development Project in Sihanouk Province and other rural roads, water conservancy, education, medical treatment and mine clearance projects.
(e) Promote cooperation in science, education, culture, tourism, health and cooperation at local levels. China will continue to support Chinese language education and digital transformation of education in Cambodia, and to arrange orderly recovery of passenger traffic through more direct flights to facilitate the return of Cambodian students to China. The Cambodian side will continue to support the operation of Chinese cultural centers, Confucius Institutes, and work with the Chinese side to maintain regular exchanges between youth organizations and institutions, and accord a greater role to counterpart friendship associations, institutions, think tanks, media and non-governmental organizations in enhancing people-to-people exchanges. The two sides will continue to follow up on Cultural and Tourism Exchange Program, encouraging exchanges and cooperation in intangible cultural heritage, actively participating in tourism exhibitions held by one another; taking concerted measures to protect Asian cultural heritage, supporting conservation and restoration of the ancient Angkor heritage, the Preah Vihear Temple and other heritage sites in Cambodia, while working together on preventing illegal smuggling of cultural property and holding youth dialogue on cultural heritage.
(f) Cambodia supports and actively participates in China’s Global Development Initiative (GDI), in line with its commitment to the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Cambodia supports China’s proposal of the Global Security Initiative (GSI), and stands ready to work with China on global security governance towards common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security. Both sides will jointly promote humanity’s common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom, jointly tackling global challenges in promoting the cause of a community with a shared future for mankind.”
=FRESH NEWS
