Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sok Chenda Sophea in Beijing on Friday.
Han noted that China and Cambodia are good neighbors, good friends and good partners. Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and Prime Minister Hun Manet twice last year, and has maintained strategic communication with Samdech Techo Hun Sen, he said, adding that they reached important consensus on building a high-quality, high-level, and high-standard China-Cambodia community with a shared future in the new era.
China attaches great importance to and is committed to deepening comprehensive strategic cooperation with Cambodia, Han said.
China is willing to continuously enrich the Diamond Hexagon cooperation framework, promote synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and Cambodia's Pentagonal Strategy, advance projects to build the Industrial Development Corridor and the Fish and Rice Corridor, organize a series of activities for the China-Cambodia People-to-People Exchange Year 2024, and promote greater development in building the China-Cambodia community with a shared future, Han added.
Sok Chenda Sophea said the new Cambodian government will make every effort to carry forward the traditional friendship between Cambodia and China, firmly abide by the one-China principle, strengthen practical cooperation with China in various fields and push forward bilateral relations.
Chinese vice president meets Cambodian deputy PM
On his second official visit to China, Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu Charlot Salwai expressed admiration for China's remarkable ability to balance preserving its cultural heritage with embracing innovative transformation.
Salwai paid an official visit to China from July 7 to 12. During his trip, he toured the southern province of Guangdong and explored the megacities of Beijing and Shanghai. His visit included tours of high-tech companies, a ride on a high-speed train, and a performance of traditional Cantonese opera.
In an interview with China Central Television Network (CCTV) aired on Friday, Salwai recounted his journey starting with a warm welcome that included enjoying Beijing Roast Duck, also known as Peking Duck -- a culinary delight introduced to him by the Chinese ambassador in Vanuatu.
"Many had to say. Peking Duck. Because we had it here on our arrival, so it was very tasty. And I understand that the Chinese ambassador in Vanuatu brought us to one of the traditional restaurants, small but beautiful," he said. The prime minister sees China's preservation of its culture as a vital lesson in understanding one's roots and the journey to the present day, acknowledging China's efforts to integrate cultural preservation with modernization.
"It's going to be my second official visit to China. I'm always impressed to see big changes and especially innovations made by China and especially the cities. Because a big impression is to see how China continues to maintain and keep its culture. Because I think it's the basis of everything -- to know where you come from and to understand where we are today. I feel that China is doing a lot to maintain its culture, but at the same time, doing, innovating to transform its culture,” Salwai said.
He also emphasized the importance of learning from China's sustainable development strategies.
"Today, it comes from a long way, some hardship, the government, and also the people of China. So, I'm impressed to see what is done, especially how China associates infrastructure development with nature. That's meant to keep, continue to keep the environment. It takes effort with the climate change by maintaining the ecosystem. I think it's something that, for a small country like Vanuatu, is important to learn. So, we are here. I'm here with my delegation to learn," Salwai said.
Vanuatu's PM commends China's cultural preservation, innovation amid fast growth
