China backs Cambodia to dissolve opposition party

World
Europe

China supports Cambodia's efforts to protect political stability and believes it will smoothly hold elections next year, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Cambodian counterpart Prak Sokhon, after the country's main opposition party was dissolved.

"China supports the Cambodian side's efforts to protect political stability and achieve economic development, and believes the Cambodian government can lead the people to deal with domestic and foreign challenges, and will smoothly hold elections next year," Wang Yi told Sokhon when meeting on Monday on the sides of an Asia-Europe foreign ministers meeting in Myanmar.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Cambodian counterpart Prak Sokhonn attend press conference in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, April 22, 2016. /Xinhua Photo‍

Wang noted next year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cambodia. China is willing to deepen strategic cooperation with Cambodia to promote bilateral relations to a new stage.

Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) is an important comprehensive sub-regional cooperation framework. China hopes Cambodia can work together to promote the framework, Wang added.

Sokhon said he thanked the Chinese side's long term support to Cambodia. Cambodia is working on well-designed celebration events for 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cambodia.

Cambodia sincerely invites Chinese leaders to attend second Lancang-Mekong Cooperation meeting of leaders in Cambodia earlier next year, Sokhon added.

A man walks near posters for the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) and Cambodian People's Party (CPP), in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, November 20, 2017. /Reuters Photo

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen on Monday gave an ultimatum for ex-opposition CNRP commune councilors to defect to his ruling party by Friday in order to keep their positions, government-aligned media reported.

The deadline was set after the Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the dissolution of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) and the banning of its 118 senior leaders from politics for five years after its leader Kem Sokha was arrested on Sept. 3 and charged with "treason."

Kem Sokha, 64, was accused of plotting the overthrow of the government with US support.

Under the country's recently-amended election laws, when the CNRP was dissolved, all its parliamentary seats and commune council seats would be redistributed to other political parties.

2976km

Source(s): Reuters ,Xinhua News Agency