Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) chief Om Yentieng speaks with Qu Xiaoli, who leads a delegation of the Communist Party of China (CPC), at the ACU headquarters in Phnom Penh on September 10. ACU
A delegation from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in Henan province has concluded a September 10-12 visit to Cambodia’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), aimed at strengthening anti-corruption collaboration between the two nations.
Om Yentieng, head of the ACU, led bilateral discussions with the Henan envoys during the visit. He briefed the visitors on the ACU’s history, organisational structure and international partnerships.
“Senior minister Yentieng welcomed the exchange of experiences between the two groups and is open to any further requests from [them],” the ACU reported in its social media post.
Qu Xiaoli, a member of the Standing Committee of the CCDI, echoed Yentieng’s sentiments, stating her team was pleased to meet with the ACU officials, according to ACU.
“This visit reinforces the longstanding friendship between our nations, a relationship recently highlighted by president Xi Jinping and Hun Sen as part of the ‘friendship year,’” Xiaoli was quoted as saying.
Soy Chanvichet, ACU spokesman, said that the Chinese representatives sought to deepen cooperation on multiple fronts, including asset and liability declaration, recovery of property from criminal activities and mutual legal assistance.
“The importance of this visit is to enhance and expand our efforts. Both countries have effectively worked together in legal assistance, information sharing, and suspect investigations,” Chanvichet said.
Pech Pisey, executive director of Transparency International Cambodia (TIC), observed that the collaboration could offer valuable insights.
“China’s recent efforts to reform the CCP through their own ACU could serve as a good example for us,” Pisey said, though he noted that differences between Cambodia’s democratic system and China’s communist regime should be considered.
Yang Peou, secretary-general of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, urged both parties to discuss pressing issues such as money laundering by Chinese criminals in the Kingdom, to improve the political image of both countries on the global stage.
