Book on China-Cambodia community with shared future launched in Cambodia

Officials pose for a group photo at the launching ceremony of a book on the China-Cambodia community with a shared future in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Sept. 4, 2024. (Photo by Phearum/Xinhua)

The iron-clad friendship between Cambodia and China has greatly benefited Cambodia's socio-economic development and poverty reduction, particularly through the Belt and Road Initiative cooperation framework, said Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Cabinet Minister Vongsey Vissoth.

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- A book titled "The China-Cambodia Community with a Shared Future: Toward Diamond Cooperation Framework in New Era" was launched here in the capital of Cambodia on Wednesday.

In a congratulatory message at the book launch, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said the book highlighted joint efforts made by both countries in building a community with a shared future.

He said the excellent ties have provided numerous fruitful results and created a bright future for both countries.

"I believe this book will further contribute to enhancing the understanding of readers and researchers about building a high-quality, high-level, and high-standard Cambodia-China community with a shared future in the new era, as well as promoting deeper and more stable relations between our two nations," Hun Manet said.

This undated aerial drone photo shows the Chinese-invested Huadian Sihanoukville Power Generation Co., Ltd. in Sihanoukville, southwest Cambodia. (Huadian Sihanoukville Power Generation Co., Ltd./Handout via Xinhua)

The book was to celebrate the 66th anniversary of the Cambodia-China diplomatic relations, the Cambodia-China people-to-people exchange year 2024, and the fifth anniversary of the agreement on building a China-Cambodia community with a shared future.

Speaking at the launch event, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Cabinet Minister Vongsey Vissoth highlighted the rock-solid ties between Cambodia and China.

He said the iron-clad friendship has greatly benefited Cambodia's socio-economic development and poverty reduction, particularly through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation framework.

Vissoth praised the book, saying it would be a trove of knowledge for readers and researchers curious about the Cambodia-China relations.

The book, written in English, was authored by a group of Cambodian scholars and published by the Civil Society Alliance Forum (CSAF).

The book offers a historical overview, tracing the roots of the relationship from ancient times to key milestones in the modern era, CSAF's chairman Kemreat Viseth said, adding that it highlighted ties in politics, economics, trade, security and defense, digital technology, and culture, among others.

A man works at the General Tire Technology (Cambodia) factory in the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) in Sihanoukville, Cambodia on Nov. 21, 2023. Located in southwest Cambodia, the SSEZ is a joint venture between Chinese and Cambodian companies. (Photo by Liao Hongqing/Xinhua)

"The book serves as a testament to the enduring friendship between Cambodia and China," he said.

Kin Phea, director-general of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia, an arm of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said in 2019 that the two countries signed an agreement on building a China-Cambodia community with a shared future.

"This agreement has laid a very solid foundation for the development of Cambodia and creating favorable conditions for Cambodia to play a more important and active role in regional and global affairs," he told Xinhua.

"Moreover, the BRI has injected vigorous impetus into building a high-quality, high-level, and high-standard China-Cambodia community with a shared future in the new era," he added.

Phea said under the BRI, China has undertaken many mega-projects in Cambodia, such as roads, bridges, hospitals, stadium, Sihanoukville Special Economy Zone, hydropower plants, Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway, and Siem Reap Angkor International Airport.

"These flagship projects have played a vital role in supporting Cambodia's socio-economic development and poverty alleviation through creating many jobs for Cambodian people," he said.

An aerial drone photo taken on June 4, 2024 shows part of the third China-funded ring road in the southern suburb of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. (Photo by Van Pov/Xinhua)

Chea Munyrith, president of the Cambodian-Chinese Evolution Researchers Association, believes that the book will help readers gain insights into the Cambodia-China relationship, so they can further strengthen and expand it.

"Chinese investors and tourists have tremendously contributed to improving the livelihoods of the Cambodian people," he told Xinhua.

Munyrith said no matter how international politics has changed, the Cambodia-China ties remain rock-solid and will continue to last forever.