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Cambodia, China hail joint COVID-19 fight, eye on closer ties
By Wang Hui
02:59

The relationship between China and Cambodia is under the spotlight in Beijing as the second Cambodia-China Think Tank High-level Forum was held in the Chinese capital on Wednesday. 

The forum is jointly hosted by two top think tanks, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the Royal Academy of Cambodia. Government officials and experts shared their views on the past and future of ties. 

About 150 governmental officials, experts and representatives from business attended the forum in Beijing on site and on line. 

They discussed fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, bilateral economic cooperation, and people to people exchanges.  

The second Cambodia-China Think Tank High-level Forum is held in Beijing, July 28, 2021. Wang Hui/CGTN

The second Cambodia-China Think Tank High-level Forum is held in Beijing, July 28, 2021. Wang Hui/CGTN

The coronavirus was one of the key focuses. The two countries have closely cooperated throughout COVID-19.  

Cambodian Standing Deputy Prime Minister Bin Chhin spoke highly about the leaders of both countries and their consistent support to each other throughout the pandemic when speaking via video at the opening ceremony.

"When the pandemic started in China, the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen visited Beijing, demonstrating Cambodia's encouragement and support to China. And Chinese President Xi Jinping said a friend in need is a friend indeed."  

Huang Kunming, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, echoed Chhin's comments. 

Huang Kunming, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, delivers a keynote speech via video at the opening ceremony of the second Cambodia-China Think Tank High-level Forum in Beijing, July 28, 2021. Wang Hui/CGTN

Huang Kunming, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, delivers a keynote speech via video at the opening ceremony of the second Cambodia-China Think Tank High-level Forum in Beijing, July 28, 2021. Wang Hui/CGTN

"We will not forget Prime Minister Hun Sen's visit to China when the pandemic was most severe.  And when some countries were trying to stigmatize China, the two countries fought shoulder by shoulder, and jointly conveyed the truth to the world," Huang said while delivering a keynote speech via video.

China and Cambodia have been working closely together to fight the pandemic. According to the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, by this June, China had provided 8.7 million doses of vaccines to Cambodia and a quarter of them were free of charge.  

Huang said China and Cambodia have become a community of shared future. And China is willing to cooperate more with Cambodia in international affairs.  

"We would like to work with Cambodia more closely in international affairs, to oppose zero-sum games and cold-war mentalities, and oppose building small circles for confrontation and forcing other countries to take sides." 

Chhin also talked about the health of bilateral ties as a whole.  

The friendly relations between the two countries are based on the principle of mutual-benefit and mutual-respect and this principle is most important to Cambodia, Chhin said and added China and Cambodia have become a role model for two countries to get along with each other and cooperate closely.  

Chhin also hailed that bilateral ties have never been better while Huang said the two countries should treasure their traditional friendship, and look to propel it to a higher level. 

The People's Republic of China and the Kingdom of Cambodia established diplomatic ties in 1958, but practical engagements between the two countries hark back all the way to the 13th century. 

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