Cambodia, China vow to advance cooperation in trade, regional stability

Senior officials of China and Cambodia have publicly expressed their shared viewpoint about countering power politics and bullying behavior by some other countries, and highlighted their shared commitment to safeguarding peace and stability in Southeast Asia, as well as global fairness and justice.

These pledges were made in a series of high-level talks during State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to the country on Sunday, during which the two countries also agreed to step up COVID-19 joint response and resolutely oppose moves to politicize the tracing of the origins of the novel coronavirus.

Cambodia is the second leg of Wang's ongoing trip in Southeast Asia.

During the visit, he met with prominent figures including Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Wang said Beijing never attached political strings in its cooperation with other countries, and it never makes empty promises.

China's traditional friendship with Cambodia not only benefits their peoples but also provides an example of building a new type of international relations and building a community with a shared future for mankind, Wang said at a news conference after meeting with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn.

Before their meeting, Hun Sen and Wang attended the handover ceremony of the China-funded national stadium in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh.

At their meeting, the prime minister said although Cambodia is a small country, it "will not back down under pressure" and it will continue to resolutely support China on topics involving China's core interests, such as Taiwan, Hong Kong and Xinjiang.

Cambodia is ready to strengthen the COVID-19 joint response and advance trade and infrastructure collaboration, and it is also willing to step up contacts with Beijing and prevent external forces from meddling and stirring up regional affairs, he said.

Wang relayed greetings from the Chinese leadership to the prime minister, stating that Beijing supports Cambodia exploring its own development path suited for its national conditions.

China is ready to help Cambodia develop its economy and improve livelihoods while jointly building the Belt and Road, Wang said during his visit.

As it helps Cambodia advance its industrialization and economic transformation, China looks forward to achieving the early enactment of their bilateral free trade agreement, Wang added.

Cambodia will take the chairmanship of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations next year.

China looks forward to completing consultations with all the 10 ASEAN members on the expected text of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea before the end of Cambodia's chairmanship, Wang said.