(Phnom Penh): The Cambodian delegation led by Phann Vanrath, Deputy Prosecutor General of the General Prosecution Office to the Supreme Court of the Kingdom of Cambodia, successfully concluded an official mission to the People’s Republic of China, encompassing participation in the 7th China–ASEAN Legal Cooperation Forum in Chongqing, academic and institutional engagements at Guangxi Minzu University, and high-level prosecutorial coordination meetings with authorities of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate of China and the Procuratorate of Chongqing Municipality.
This mission marks a significant elevation of Cambodia’s role in shaping prosecutorial cooperation and legal development within the China–ASEAN region.
Cambodia Presents Regional Strategy Against Transnational Telecom Fraud
During the technical session of the Forum, Phann Vanrath delivered a comprehensive presentation titled: “Strengthening Prosecutorial Cooperation to Combat Transnational Telecom Fraud: Cambodia’s Practice and Regional Pathways.”
He underscored telecom fraud as one of the most sophisticated and fast-evolving crimes in Asia, fuelled by artificial intelligence, encrypted communication, offshore scam compounds, and cross-border criminal syndicates operating like corporate structures.
He highlighted Cambodia’s achievements, including:
- dismantling organized scam hubs,
- expanding digital forensic and cyber-investigative capacity,
- rescuing trafficking victims connected to scam operations,
- strengthening prosecutorial oversight, and
- effectively implementing the Cambodia–China Extradition Treaty.
He emphasized that borderless crime requires a borderless prosecutorial response, calling for:
- early-stage prosecutor contact networks,
- regional joint forensic teams,
- harmonized evidentiary standards,
- expedited MLA procedures, and
- a shared criminal intelligence platform for ASEAN and China.
Closing Ceremony Speech: Advancing Legal Reform and Academic–Practitioner Integration
Phann Vanrath was subsequently invited to deliver the Closing Ceremony Remarks of the Forum. In his address, he emphasized three core priorities for the future of China–ASEAN legal cooperation:
- Academic–Practitioner Synergy
Legal research and comparative study must inform prosecutorial practice and justice reform.
- Judicial Modernization
Transparent, predictable, and technology-responsive legal systems are essential for stability, economic growth, and public trust.
- Coordinated Response to Transnational Crime
Prosecutors are indispensable to regional security, ensuring evidence integrity, lawful extraditions, and synchronized investigations.
He reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to the shared vision of a China–ASEAN Community with a Shared Future, grounded in mutual respect, justice, and the rule of law.
Honorary Professorship and Academic Collaboration at Guangxi Minzu University
Following the Forum, Phann Vanrath visited the China–ASEAN Law School at Guangxi Minzu University, where he delivered lectures to graduate and undergraduate law cohorts on prosecutorial independence, legal development, and cross-border criminal cooperation.
In recognition of his contributions to China–ASEAN legal cooperation and prosecutorial diplomacy, Guangxi Minzu University conferred upon him the prestigious title of Honorary Professor. This appointment reflects the University’s acknowledgment of his professional merit and Cambodia’s expanding influence in regional legal education.
The University expressed its intention to broaden:
- joint legal research projects,
- lecturer and student exchange programs, and
- long-term academic partnerships with Cambodia.
High-Level Meeting with the Supreme People’s Procuratorate of China
On 26 November 2025, Phann Vanrath held a formal working meeting with the Deputy Director General in charge of International Cooperation of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate of the People’s Republic of China.
Both sides agreed to:
- strengthen prosecutorial cooperation between Cambodia and China at the central-institutional level,
- enhance coordination mechanisms for extradition and mutual legal assistance,
- operationalize ASEAN–China prosecutorial cooperation frameworks,
- facilitate expert exchanges on cyber-enabled crime, and
- explore joint regional initiatives to combat telecom fraud and money laundering.
The meeting elevated bilateral prosecutorial engagement to a strategic and institutional dimension, reinforcing Cambodia’s position as a constructive partner in regional criminal justice cooperation.
Bilateral Meeting with the Chief Prosecutor of Chongqing
Upon returning from Guangxi, Phann Vanrath convened a bilateral working session on 27 November 2025 with the Chief Prosecutor of Chongqing Municipality and his senior colleagues.
Discussions focused on:
- establishing direct institutional contact channels between prosecution services,
- coordinated cross-border evidence handling,
- joint capacity-building and forensic training, and
- enhanced cooperation against cyber-enabled and telecom-related offenses.
This meeting reinforced operational cooperation at the municipal level, complementing national-level coordination achieved with the Supreme People’s Procuratorate.
Conclusion
Through its participation in the Forum, academic engagements, and bilateral meetings, the Cambodian delegation strengthened prosecutorial diplomacy, advanced legal education cooperation, and contributed to the formation of a more interconnected, resilient, and security-conscious China–ASEAN legal community.
Cambodia stands ready to deepen its contributions to regional legal development, transnational crime prevention, and prosecutorial modernization—ensuring that justice, cooperation, and the rule of law remain at the heart of regional integration.
For Further Information
The General Prosecution Office to the Supreme Court of the Kingdom of Cambodia
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Email: intl.cooperation@gposc.gov.kh
Website: www.gposc.gov.kh
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