Cambodia and China have signed 15 memorandums of understanding (MoU), including an action plan for building the community of a shared future between China and Cambodia for 2024-2028, according to Prime Minister Hun Manet’s social media channel.
The signing was presided over by Manet, who is on an official visit to China from September 14-17, and Chinese Premier Li Qiang, on September 15.
During his meeting with Li, Manet encouraged China to considering energy security projects, infrastructure investment and promoting the Diamond Hexagon cooperation framework, as well as pushing for the recovery of the tourism sector.
Manet said Cambodia is ready to implement all of the projects that the two sides have agreed on and will initiate any new projects that benefit the two nations and peoples. The same commitment was expressed by Li.
Both premiers pledged to continued cooperation and support for each other on the regional and international stage.
The Chinese government announced that Li had stressed China’s will to enhance development-strategy synergies with Cambodia, enforce current intergovernmental coordinating committee mechanisms, and upgrade cooperation on industry, agriculture, the economy, and trade, in order to achieve practical results.
This is the second meeting between Manet and Li in two weeks. The two met in Jakarta, Indonesia on September 6 during the ASEAN plus China meeting.
Manet also met with Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, on the same day. During the meeting Zhao congratulated Manet on his election as prime minister in the recent national election, which saw the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) win a large majority.
Manet explained to Zhao that the CPP’s victory reflects the public’s trust in the party and its president – former Prime Minister Hun Sen – as well as its support for the new leadership to lead the country into the new era.
He urged more exchange visits of lawmakers between the two countries’ parliaments, in order to boost legislative branch cooperation, especially among young lawmakers. Zhao accepted the suggestion.
“In short, Cambodia and China committed to work together as excellent trustworthy friends, and to prevent external inference,” said the prime minister’s social media announcement.