(Phnom Penh): On Thursday morning (Dec. 18), a handover ceremony for the 2025 “Panda Package” donation was held at the Office of the Council of Ministers between the China Foundation for Rural Development and the Civil Society Alliance Forum of the Office of the Council of Ministers.

The ceremony was presided over by Vongsey Vissoth, Minister in charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers of Cambodia, and Wang Wenbin, Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia. The event was attended by senior government officials, senior officials of the Office of the Council of Ministers, local authorities, teachers, and numerous students.

The 2025 Panda Package donation includes 21,600 Panda backpacks and 2,500 bicycles, which will be distributed to students from 128 schools in Phnom Penh and 12 other provinces.

Ambassador Wang Wenbin praised the strong friendship between China and Cambodia, noting that it has contributed to development across all sectors and, in particular, strengthened people-to-people ties between the two nations. He affirmed that China will continue supporting the development of Cambodia’s civil society to help improve the livelihoods of the Cambodian people. He also expressed hope that more Chinese civil society organisations will participate in promoting the welfare of Cambodian citizens and reducing poverty.

He further expressed hope that the students receiving the Panda Packages would study diligently to contribute to nation-building and further strengthen Cambodia–China relations.

Minister Vongsey Vissoth said that this valuable donation reflects the deep friendship, solidarity, and humanitarian spirit, as well as the care, concern, and support of the Chinese people and government toward Cambodia and its people.

The donation also symbolises the growing development of people-to-people relations, particularly among youth, the backbone of the nation, who will continue to uphold the banner of Cambodia–China friendship for the benefit of development, nation-building, national defense, and modernization in both countries. He emphasised that the 2025 Panda Package is not merely educational materials and transportation for students, but a meaningful contribution to human capital development, which requires long-term investment and is a decisive factor for the country’s future.

The minister further noted that Cambodia–China relations have deep historical roots spanning thousands of years. History has shown that China and Cambodia are “friends by destiny,” inseparable and dependable partners who trust and understand each other in all circumstances. This precious friendship has been nurtured by successive generations of leaders, beginning with the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk and Chinese leaders Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai, and later strengthened by Samdech Techo Hun Sen, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet, and President Xi Jinping.

On behalf of the Royal Government and the people of Cambodia, Vongsey Vissoth expressed profound gratitude to the Chinese government and people for their continued support in Cambodia’s recovery and development across all sectors, as well as for consistently supporting Cambodia’s peace and independence.

He stressed that Cambodia’s progress, prosperity, and socio-economic development to date cannot be separated from the role of China, and that Cambodia will continue to need China’s support now and in the future. The Cambodia–China friendship, having endured numerous tests, continues to grow stronger and is expected to yield enduring for the benefit of both peoples, the two countries, and the region.

The minister expressed strong confidence that China will continue to provide support and contribute to Cambodia’s long-term development path, while injecting new momentum into building an all-weather Cambodia–China community with a shared future in the new era, characterized by high quality, high standards, openness, mutual benefit, sustainability, and a people-centered approach.

On this occasion, Vongsey Vissoth also thanked China for its role in supporting ceasefire efforts and the restoration of peace. He noted that although the situation has not yet fully improved, China’s contribution to promoting a genuine and lasting ceasefire and peace is of great value to Cambodia and its people, particularly hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians, including women, children, and the elderly, who were forced to flee their homes and schools and are currently sheltering in displacement camps along the border provinces, enabling them to return home and resume schooling.

He also requested the Chinese side to consider mobilizing humanitarian assistance, where possible, to support hundreds of thousands of Cambodian displaced persons.
=FRESH NEWS