Cambodian scholars welcome Chinese president's speech at WWII victory commemoration

Cambodian scholars welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech at the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, saying that his remarks truly reflected China's commitment to peaceful development and regional stability.

In his speech at the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, President Xi said China would remain committed to peaceful development and announced to cut 300,000 troops from the country's military.

"China sincerely demonstrates its willingness to pursue its peaceful development and to maintain peace and security in the region and the world at large," Chheang Vannarith, chairman of the Cambodian Institute for Strategic Studies told Xinhua.

He said China has significantly contributed to ending the war in Asia Pacific, and the commemoration was very important to avoid the repeat of such tragic war in the future.

"Without learning from past mistakes, future wars cannot be prevented. Through economic development and interdependence, peace and security will prevail," said Vannarith, who is also a lecturer of Asia Pacific Studies at the University of Leeds in Britain.

Phay Siphan, a spokesman for the Cambodian Council of Ministers, said Xi's pledge to reduce 300,000 troops reflected China's willingness to peaceful development.

He said China's military parade was to "honor Chinese soldiers and innocent people who had fought for the cause of national independence and world peace."

Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and a group of Cambodian troops also attended the commemoration in Beijing Thursday morning.

Siphan said the monarch's presence would further deepen the long-standing relationship between the two countries, while the troops' participation was to honor Chinese soldiers and civilians who sacrificed their lives for the cause of national independence and world peace. Endi