WNAM REPORT: The foreign and defense ministers of China and Cambodia on Wednesday held their first meeting under a strategic dialogue mechanism in Phnom Penh.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Defense Minister Dong Jun co-chaired the meeting with Prak Sokhonn and Tea Seiha, their respective Cambodian counterparts, according to the state-run news agency Xinhua.
The two sides discussed bilateral ties, cooperation on political and defense security issues, and international and regional situations.
They agreed to strengthen law enforcement and defense cooperation, jointly combat online gambling and telecom fraud, and safeguard cybersecurity.
They also stressed the resolution of regional disputes through dialogue and negotiation, “jointly opposing unilateral bullying and power politics, and upholding global free trade and international fairness and justice.”
The Chinese side said it is willing to deepen cooperation with Cambodia, build an Asian security model featuring shared security, promote a more “just and equitable” global governance system, and strengthen military trust, while Cambodia reaffirmed its adherence to the one-China principle.
The two Chinese officials also met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.
Manet said Cambodia remains committed to a friendly policy towards China and seeks closer high-level exchanges and practical cooperation in key sectors, such as clean energy.
He also welcomed Chinese investment, pledged to “resolutely” combat online gambling and telecom fraud, and expressed willingness to work with China on multilateral platforms to uphold multilateralism.
Wang said China and Cambodia must strengthen solidarity amid a “tense and chaotic external environment,” advance development initiatives, including an industrial corridor and agricultural cooperation, and boost Cambodia’s self-reliance.
He added that both sides must crack down on and “completely eradicate” cross-border online gambling and telecom fraud, as well as support each other in multilateral affairs to uphold “fairness and justice.”
While Manet spoke on the Cambodia-Thailand border situation and expressed hope for a greater Chinese role in advancing peace talks, Wang said China is willing to build more platforms to resume exchanges and direct dialogue between Cambodia and Thailand.
