China and Cambodia will create a "fast track" for the movement of people and a "green corridor" for the flow of goods due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a statement issued on Tuesday after a high-level bilateral virtual meeting.
The two countries said they oppose any politicization or stigmatization using the epidemic as an excuse, calling for solidarity from all parties to deal with the challenge of COVID-19.
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Hor Nam Hong co-chaired the fifth meeting of the China-Cambodia Intergovernmental Coordination Committee.
The two sides also discussed a series of issues such as advancing the Belt and Road Initiative and bilateral free-trade agreement talks, strengthening health cooperation and tackling transnational crimes.
Wang said that China and Cambodia have supported and assisted each other since the novel coronavirus outbreak, thus deepening and consolidating their traditional friendship, according to a post-meeting press release.
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi holds video conference with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong, June 16, 2020. /CGTN
China stands ready to work with Cambodia to fight against COVID-19, as well as accelerating cooperation in all areas to achieve progress in anti-epidemic efforts and economic and social development in both countries, Wang said.
As this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries, Wang said positive momentum for development in all aspects as well as broad prospects have been witnessed in bilateral cooperation, and that China will continue to strengthen communication and coordination with Cambodia under regional frameworks such as East Asia Cooperation and the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation.
Wang said China will work with ASEAN countries to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and strive for an early result in the negotiation of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.
Hor Nam Hong, for his part, said his country keeps in mind the long-term support and assistance from China and will further promote and deepen Cambodia-China cooperation.
He also pledged Cambodia's support for China's decision on the National Security Legislation for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
(CGTN's Liu Yang also contributed to the story.)