PM lauds Sino-Cambodian ties

Prime Minister Hun Sen at the Solidarity Dinner organised by the Cambodian-Chinese Association Tuesday. KT/Khem Sovannara

Speaking during a dinner organised by the Cambodian-Chinese Association, Prime Minister Hun Sen said the current approach to Sino-Cambodian relations dates back to the reign of King Norodom Sihanouk, and added that Cambodia will always respect China’s unity and sovereignty.

    The premier also said the Cambodian market is open to Chinese products and said the government will continue its work to facilitate Chinese investment.

    According to government data, from January to June 2018, Chinese investment was worth $5 billion, making China the biggest investor in the Kingdom. Chinese investors are involved in almost every economic sector, from energy to infrastructure, and from tourism to real estate and finance.

    Pung Kheav Se, president of the association, said Chinese and Cambodian Chinese investors play a big role in the social and economic development of the country.

    Chinese president Xi Jinping in January agreed to increase the quota for Cambodian rice imports to 400,000 tonnes for 2019, up from last year’s 300,000 tonnes.

    During a meeting in Beijing between Prime Minister Hun Sen and Present Xi in January,Present Xi said the ties between China and Cambodia are very special, according to a post on Prime Minister Hun Sen’s Facebook page.

    “It is an important relationship between the two nations,” the post said. “He [Present Xi] said that China and Cambodia will continue to work together and cooperate in all sectors, including politics, security, economy and between people and people.”