BRI ushering in new chapter of China-Cambodia ironclad friendship: Chinese ambassador

This photo taken on May 21, 2023 shows the entrance of the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) in Sihanoukville, Cambodia.(Photo by Ly Lay/Xinhua)

The BRI is not only an international cooperative platform promoting global governance and win-win cooperation with mutual benefits, but also an international public good contributing to Cambodia's economic and social development, Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian said.

PHNOM PENH, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has been ushering in a new chapter for the China-Cambodia ironclad friendship, providing tremendous benefits to both sides, Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian said on Friday.

Ten years into its proposal, upholding the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, the initiative transcends geographical barriers and proves to be, as its name indicates, a "belt" of cooperation and a "road" leading to friendship, Wang said in a written article released to Xinhua, noting that a decade ago when Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the initiative, it was an instant hit, winning widespread acclaim and support from the international community.

The ambassador said as China's ironclad friend, Cambodia was among the first supporters of the initiative, firmly believing that not only is it an international cooperative platform promoting global governance and win-win cooperation with mutual benefits, but also an international public good contributing to Cambodia's economic and social development.

"Under the strategic guidance of our leaders, China and Cambodia enjoy a relationship anchored in equality, mutual trust, brotherhood, and cooperation," which are reflected in the high-quality development of the Belt and Road and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, Wang said.

He added that the initiative has rapidly improved people's lives, and that deepening cooperation in production capacity, trade, investment, agriculture and infrastructure has witnessed the success of flagship projects such as the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone, the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway, the Siem Reap Angkor International Airport, the Morodok Techo National Stadium and the Lower Sesan II Hydropower Station.

The ambassador said China has been Cambodia's top trading partner and investor many years in a row and that Cambodian rice, bananas, mangoes, longans, coconuts and other agricultural products have made their way to the Chinese market, while "Made in China" smartphones and electric cars are becoming increasingly popular in Cambodia.

"In a mere decade, BRI cooperation has come to fruition, bringing tremendous benefits to Chinese and Cambodians alike," he said.

The initiative forges an ever closer bond between the two peoples, Wang said, adding that in recent years, China and Cambodia have carried out a variety of cultural and people-to-people exchanges, with a view to further advancing communication and cooperation in the fields of youth, local exchanges, education, tourism and medical services.

"Our bond is further strengthened by China's full support to Cambodia in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic including the dispatching of the very first traditional Chinese medical science team and China-aided free medical services such as the cataract blindness elimination project, which brings health and hope to Cambodian patients," Wang said.

The ambassador said that as they are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the initiative, China and Cambodia are embarking on a new journey of cooperation, with the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation soon to be held, providing an important platform for discussing major development plans and the future course of jointly promoting high-quality Belt and Road cooperation for leaders of participating countries.

"At the milestone of the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Cambodia and the China-Cambodia Friendship Year, we have every reason to be confident that, by working closely together, China and Cambodia will keep on forging ahead with BRI cooperation, developing an ever more vigorous community with a shared future in the new era, and adding fresh chapters to the legend of friendship we so dearly treasure," Wang said.