China-Aid medical team brings traditional Chinese medicine to Cambodians

As an example of successful people-to-people exchange between China and Cambodia, the China-Aid medical team at Preah Kossamak Hospital in the capital city of Phnom Penh helps treat the medical conditions of Cambodian communities with the use of traditional Chinese healing techniques.

Oumeng Savada used to serve in the military but suffered from a severe stroke in a football game and was paralyzed there and then. As regular treatment was not effective, he turned to Chinese medicine for recovery.

"I was so sick that I couldn't walk. Now, I can walk normally. It's much better than before," said the patient.

"When he first came here, he had to be pushed in [on a wheelchair.] He could not even lift his arms. But now it is no longer a problem for him," said Yuan Geng, leader of the medical team.

After a China-Aid expansion project in 2022, Preah Kossamak Hospital became one of the best equipped public hospitals in Cambodia. The Chinese medicine quarter was also introduced at that point to provide Cambodian people with a whole new 'prescription' for their sickness and pains.

"The Cambodian people really like Chinese medicine, especially the acupuncture and manual therapy," said Koeurng Raksmiy, general medical doctor at Preah Kossamak Hospital.

Hearing about the wonderful healing effect of Chinese medicine, more and more Cambodian people came to the quarter to receive treatment. That included quite a few Royal Family members. Princess Jenna learned with much interest about the medical team’s work and the achievements of modern Chinese medicine.

"Actually, I know that my grandfather, my mom and a lot of my uncles come here for Chinese treatment, and they said it is quite effective. Actually, this is my first time coming here and after seeing that the Chinese medicine has helped a lot of Cambodian people ease the pains, it really makes me very happy. And also, I just hope that all the projects here will become more and more successful," said Jenna Norodom, the Cambodian Princess.

The Chinese medical team is scheduled to end their shift in Cambodia in coming July. In their spare time, they are conducting as many charity medical actions as they can - in communities, the countryside and remote areas.

"We are now training doctors in our consulting room and the entire Chinese medicine quarter, because we would like to leave a team here. Besides treating Cambodian people, we would also like to pass on the Chinese medicine knowledge here," Yuan said.

For the team members, Cambodia-China Friendship has driven them towards a higher goal than just finishing with an aiding mission.

China-Aid medical team brings traditional Chinese medicine to Cambodians

A French student from the School of Chinese Language and Literature at Beijing Foreign Studies University recently called for more educational exchanges between the two countries.

During an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Bouaoud Elies shared his experience living and studying in China.

After graduating from the business school at Beijing Foreign Studies University, Elies decided to stay in the country. He said he continues to study Chinese to improve his competitiveness and explore the huge trade opportunities between the two countries.

"I mean I love it here. I don't want to go back to France. I would like to become the bridge between France and China. So, if I can do this, thanks to the Belt and Road Initiative, the Silk Road, now the relations between France and China are very good. So, I think a lot of things will happen," he said.

Elies also said he hopes that more French students could visit China and develop a better understanding of the country.

France was the first major western country to establish full diplomatic ties with China, and the history of educational exchanges can be traced back more than a century and a half when China sent its students to France to study maritime affairs.

Since then, exchanges have deepened considerably.

"In China, we have established 14 French training centers. In France, we have established 19 Confucius Institutes. These institutions serve as bridges for mutual understanding and trust between the youth and people of the two countries, enhancing language and cultural connections," said Yang Dan, Director General of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges under the Ministry of Education.

French student calls for more educational exchanges with China