Wan Gang, vice-chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP
Prime Minister Hun Sen requested China’s cooperation on human resource development on Wednesday by collaborating with the Royal Academy of Cambodia and the ministries of Education, Youth and Sport and Labour and Vocational Training and boosting the sector.
The request came during a meeting with Wan Gang, the vice-chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and former Chinese Minister of Science and Technology.
“The friendly and collaborative relations between our two countries are as strong as steel. [We] will continue to support and assist each other as brothers,” Hun Sen stressed on his Facebook page.
The prime minister informed Wan that Cambodia is taking measures to adapt to the ongoing Fourth Industrial Revolution and that proper training is needed on a grand scale.
The online post said Wan’s visit to Cambodia was aimed at strengthening collaboration between the two countries, especially in the fields of science and technology. Human resources, research and development are essential in the age of Industry 4.0.
Hun Sen quoted Wan as saying he was pleased to see the progress Cambodia has made through the political stability and robust economic growth under the prime minister’s leadership. Hun Sen is a most deeply loved and respected leader in the heart of the government and the Chinese people. Cambodia is a brother and a comprehensive strategic partner of China.
“Our Chinese friend thanked Cambodia for helping establish healthy ties between China and Asean, and for its support of a peaceful solution to the issue of the South China Sea,” said the post.
Government spokesman Phay Siphan told The Post on Wednesday that the meeting between Hun Sen and Wan went well. Both sides discussed and expressed mutual understanding, despite rising Sino-US tensions on the global stage.
“On Cambodia’s part, there’s nothing more to it than to ask all relevant parties to seek resolutions that will benefit the world,” Siphan said.
Kin Phea, the director-general of the International Relations Institute at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, told The Post that the Royal Academy of Cambodia is developing human resources but it needs further collaboration from China to fund research.
Bilateral diplomatic visits and experiences such as these can also be considered human resource development, he said.
“We need to have joint research as well. That’s specifically one of the points where the Royal Academy of Cambodia comes in. [Hun Sen] requesting China to help develop human resources is extremely important."
“We can’t just wait and sleep and have assistance come in from various countries without first developing national human resources,” Phea stressed.
He said a country grows based on its human resources. With more support for human resources, it is of utmost importance that Cambodia stands up and travels rapidly on the path towards development under the “shade of peace” which the Kingdom is currently in.
