Interview: Chinese president's Cambodia visit to add new momentum to bilateral ties: scholars

The upcoming visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Cambodia will add new momentum to the bilateral strategic partnership between the two countries, scholars in Cambodia said.

Xi will pay his first state visit to Cambodia on Oct. 13 and Oct. 14 to further enhance bilateral relations and cooperation, both countries formally announced on Monday.

"President Xi's visit illustrates China's unwavering support to the Cambodian government and its people's socio-economic development and poverty reduction," Chheang Vannarith, chairman of the Cambodian Institute for Strategic Studies, told Xinhua.

Cambodia-China relations strengthened remarkably after the signing of the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation in 2010, he went on to say, adding that Cambodia has become China's closest natural ally in Southeast Asia and that the country regards China as its most important strategic and development partner.

Vannarith said Xi's visit would contribute further to promoting Cambodia-China cooperation in the areas of infrastructure, agriculture, tourism, education, trade and investment.

"China should assist Cambodia in innovation, technology transfer and human resources development," Vannarith said.

Mey Kalyan, a senior adviser of the Supreme National Economic Council, which is the Cambodian government's economic policy-making institution, said current relations and cooperation between Cambodia and China are extremely smooth and going well.

Most Cambodian people appreciate the superlative assistance being provided by China to allow the upgrading of the nation's economic development, he said, adding that the recent robust economic growth in Cambodia over the years is due, in no small part, to China's assistance.

"The visit of President Xi is extremely meaningful as it symbolizes the good relationship between the two nations," he said.

"It is a good opportunity for President Xi to have a first-hand view of Cambodia's situation and for Cambodians to thank President Xi and other Chinese leaders for their unwavering support."

Pou Sothirak, executive director of the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace, said the upcoming visit by President Xi to Cambodia would be considered as a milestone.

"The visit is expected to fortify the pivoting role China has been playing in Cambodia's multi-faceted development processes, as well as to further strengthen deep friendship bonds between the two countries," he said.

The scholar added that Cambodia continues to attach great economic and strategic importance to the rise of China, as the country is looking forward to reaping the enormous benefits from China's Belt and Road Initiative, and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

He said the relations and cooperation between Cambodia and China are at their very best, given the current trend and future prospect remain high.

Pou Sothirak said in December 2010, Cambodia and China upgraded their bilateral ties to a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Cooperation."

"Since then, this elevated relationship has proceeded smoothly and comprised a multitude of practical cooperation and has made continuous progress in all fields of Cambodia's national development, from socio-economic development, to diplomatic and political security cooperation," he said.

"Excellent relations between Cambodia and China will continue well into the future, provided that both sides maintain the mutual respect they have both shown and continue to broaden their understanding of each other as well as not to undertake any activity to harm the reputation of the other, or to undermine their national interests," he said.

Besides promoting an even closer relationship between the two countries, the landmark visit of the Chinese leader to Cambodia will no doubt boost trade and investment between the two countries, especially under the Belt and Road Initiative.

"The initiative is expected to firmly support Cambodia in promoting sustainable economic growth, implemented in good faith, which means that due considerations will be given to quality projects, social and environment condition, good governance, transparency and accountability," he said. Endit