NVDB005_-_CH_3.002._China-Cambodia_relations_-_Dr._Chheang-3

Diplomatic Briefing — KAS Cambodia and CICP

18 — DP Vol. 05

China-Cambodia relations

giving full attention to the important role of inter-party exchanges and promoting greater bilateral cooper- ation. In terms of legislative and political consultation, both parties agreed to further promote exchanges and cooperation between the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference from the Chinese side, and the Senate, the National Assembly, and the Supreme Consultative Council from the Cambodian side, and boost closer cooperation and coordination in multilateral parlia- mentary organisations.

Security Cooperation

This pillar consists of cooperation in defence-security, law enforcement, and political security. Both sides have agreed to strengthen strategic communication, enhance friendly exchanges and pragmatic cooper- ation, promote national defence and military collab- oration, and effectively deal with security threats while respecting one another’s sovereignty. In terms of political-security cooperation, both sides agreed to strengthen policy design and strategic deployment in order to safeguard the security, stability, and devel- opment interests of both parties.

Economic Cooperation

This pillar includes a long list of sectoral cooper- ation areas on the economy and trade, investment, production capacity and industry, transport infra- structure, mines and energy, finance, people’s liveli- hoods, agriculture, customs inspection and quarantine procedures, water resource management, information and telecommunication technology, metrology, and certification and conformity assessment. On trade cooperation, both sides have committed to contin- uously expanding trade and realising the goal of US $10 billion in bilateral trade by 2023. The signing of the Cambodia-China FTA in October 2020 for example is a catalyst to realising this target. Under investment cooperation, both parties agreed to further increase the scale and level of Chinese investment in Cambodia, with a particular focus on agriculture, industry, infra- structure, energy, and tourism.

Cultural Cooperation and People-to- People Exchange

This pillar consists of cooperation on culture and tourism, cultural heritage, education, health, STI (science, technology, and innovation), exchange of young leaders, the protection of environment, forestry and wildlife conservation, media and public relations, and the respect of intellectual property rights.

In terms of STI cooperation for instance, both sides agreed to continuously strengthen pragmatic cooper- ation in scientific and technological innovation between the two countries by enhancing top-level policy design and action plan development.

Multilateral Cooperation

This pillar consists of cooperation on regional and international affairs, the safeguarding of the common interests of developing countries, and the promotion of regional peace, stability, development, and prosperity. Some key measures to realise these goals include jointly implementing the “ASEAN-China Strategic Vision 2030”, building a closer ASEAN-China Community of Shared Future, forging the Mekong-Lancang Economic Development Belt, and Building a Community of Shared Future among Mekong-Lancang countries.

In terms of multilateral cooperation norms and principles, both parties stress the principles of mutual respect, equality, justice, and win-win cooperation in the name of building a community with a shared future for mankind.