The Cambodian People's Party (CPP) held its 45th Central Committee meeting at the party's headquarters on January 25-26. SHS
The Cambodian People's Party (CPP) has reiterated that it will not tolerate interference in the Kingdom’s internal affairs and will never trade sovereignty for aid or privileges.
The ruling party reaffirmed this stance during its 45th Central Committee Convention, held on January 25–26 at the party's headquarters in Phnom Penh’s Chamkarmon district. The party's policies serve as the framework for governing the country under its leadership.
“The convention actively promotes the implementation of key foreign policy directions, including adhering to an independent foreign policy based on international law and national interests. It upholds the principles of the UN Charter and Cambodia's Constitution with unwavering respect,” said a party statement on the outcome of the meeting.
“We will not allow any interference in Cambodia's internal affairs under any circumstances and will not compromise the nation's sovereignty in exchange for aid or privileges. [The party] supports dialogue and diplomacy as means to peacefully resolve disputes,” it added.
The ruling party also outlined three principles for Cambodia's participation in various Indo-Pacific strategies. These principles include participating only in strategies that promote peace and development, rejecting those aimed at opposing other nations, and supporting ASEAN centrality and the Indo-Pacific vision.
The CPP also reaffirmed its commitment to an open, free, fair, transparent and rules-based multilateral system. According to the statement, this commitment will be pursued through Cambodia's active participation as a member of ASEAN and other regional and international organisations, contributing significantly to peace and humanitarian causes.
Pa Chanroeun, president of the Cambodian Institute for Democracy, noted that preventing interference in Cambodia’s internal affairs is a necessity, as outlined in the 1993 Constitution which affirms Cambodia’s sovereignty as an independent state.
However, he noted that engaging in trade or partnerships with other countries or groups often requires adherence to specific conditions, such as respecting human rights and promoting democracy. Whether these conditions are seen as interference or simply as foundational values of cooperation depends on Cambodia’s perspective, he added.
“If those ‘conditions’ involve calls to respect human rights and promote democracy, I don’t see that as interference. Rather, they are fundamental values within the cooperation framework. Moreover, respecting human rights and promoting democracy are also core values of Cambodia, as stipulated in the 1993 Constitution,” he said.
Cambodia is set to graduate from the category of least-developed countries (LDCs) in December 2029, which may result in the country losing certain privileges currently granted to LDCs.
