Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Phnom Penh on Thursday, kicking off a state visit aimed at strengthening the friendship and cooperation between China and Cambodia.
Upon his arrival, Xi was warmly welcomed by Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, Cambodian People’s Party President and Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen, and other senior officials. Hundreds of locals lined the streets, waving national flags and holding banners that read “Long live Cambodia-China friendship, solidarity and cooperation!”
In a written statement, Xi expressed his pleasure at visiting Cambodia again and looked forward to meetings with King Sihamoni, Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, Samdech Techo Hun Sen, and Prime Minister Hun Manet.
Xi’s visit coincides with the Khmer New Year, and he extended warm New Year greetings to the Cambodian government and people on behalf of China.
He praised Cambodia’s time-honored civilization, noting that the splendid Khmer heritage, created by the hardworking and talented Cambodian people, has made significant contributions to human progress.
Xi highlighted Cambodia’s rapid economic growth and continuous improvement in people’s livelihoods under the vigorous implementation of the Pentagonal Strategy.
Expressing confidence in Cambodia’s future, Xi said he believes the Cambodian people will achieve new and greater accomplishments in national development under the leadership of Prime Minister Hun Manet and with the blessing of King Sihamoni.
Emphasizing the rock-solid ties nurtured by the elder generations of leaders, Xi stated that China-Cambodia relations have withstood the test of global transformations.
He affirmed that China considers Cambodia a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy and firmly supports Cambodia’s strategic independence and its chosen path of development.
Xi expressed his desire to enrich the China-Cambodia “Diamond Hexagon” cooperation framework, deepen political mutual trust, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, enhance security, promote people-to-people exchanges, and strengthen high-level strategic coordination.
He concluded by expressing hope that the strengthened partnership would bring more benefits to the people of both countries and contribute positive energy to peace and stability in the region and beyond.
Over 20,000 locals, alongside representatives from overseas Chinese communities, Chinese-funded enterprises, and students, lined the streets to warmly welcome President Xi.
