PHNOM PENH – Cambodia thanked China for its respect while supporting development as a book on the countries’ shared future vision was launched.
“The Chinese-Cambodian Community of Shared Future-Toward Diamond Cooperation Framework in New Era” was written by more than 10 Cambodian researchers.
It looks at the relationship from the Chenla era – a name designated by the Chinese envoy Zhou Daguan – to the relationship between the late King Norodom Sihanouk with Premier Zhou Enlai and Mao Zedong and the ties in this new era focusing on development, challenges and how they can build a shared future and create a community with common goals.
Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Vongsey Vissoth said he strongly believed in a shared future idea. This would not be impossible if the parties had nothing in common.
He said Cambodia and China had the same goals and values: peace, co-existence, development and mutual respect.
“China is a big state and Cambodia is a small country. However, China respects Cambodia. I do appreciate that. There are superpowers, but it doesn’t mean that they have mutual respect,” Vissoth said on Sept. 4 at the launch at the Office of the Council of Ministers.
Chinese Ambassador Wang Wenbin said China adhered to the principle of respect of not disregarding small states and the principle of promoting mutual benefit and win-win outcomes in political, economic, cultural and security areas.
“We thank Cambodia for standing by with us against Taiwan's independence, while we support Cambodia for its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said. “It proves the saying ‘two people with one soul’.
“In this new era, I will work with all of you to enhance our ties and friendship.”
Vongsey Vissoth said that a shared future meant a shared interest and sustainability, explaining that one can’t be poor while one is rich, referring to the assistance given by China to help the country grow.
“What we have in common with China is a helping hand,” he said. “We help each other to grow. However, Cambodia can’t entirely rely on someone. We have to be strong because if we are weak, we can’t help our friends.
“We need to grab the future and walk with respect and value. Despite our small state, we strive to help accordingly.”
Co-author Po Sovinda said both countries must push forward the political relationship, economic ties, security collaboration and people-to-people ties to remain close and build an admired shared future.
“I have strong confidence that cooperation of the two countries reaches the highest level,” he said.
Marvin C. Ott, professorial lecturer and visiting scholar in Southeast Asia Studies at the Johns Hopkins University, previously said the US has received indications that Cambodia has been captured by China, raising concerns about Thailand's potential relegation to the same position.
The US considers Cambodia, despite its small size, a Southeast Asian country with potential for security and economic ties, as a goal to counter China's influence.
In the newly launched book China-Cambodia Shared Future, co-author Chea Munyrith, president of the Cambodian-Chinese Evolution Researchers Association, writes that the world needs China, and China can’t be parted.
“China is a part of the world,” he writes. “China and the world are a community of shared future. China is willing to work with other countries in the world to promote the building of a new type of international relations and Human Community of Shared Future, to jointly build a better world and create a better future.”
In 2013, President Xi Jinping raised the idea of a global community of shared futures at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations. According to Ambassador Wang Wenbin, Cambodia and China agreed on the shared future vision in 2019.
Cambodia and China, in the modern era, established a relationship in 1958 and have become an unbreakable and “ironclad” friendship as both countries upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2019.
