PHNOM PENH — A high-level think tank forum opened on Monday in Phnom Penh with a focus on deepening Cambodia-China "Diamond Cooperation Framework" toward building a Cambodia-China community with a shared future in the new era.

Co-hosted by the Royal Academy of Cambodia and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the two-day forum was convened in the Cambodian capital on Monday and in the cultural province of Siem Reap on Tuesday.

Zhen Zhanmin, vice-president of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said China and Cambodia are ironclad friends who share weal and woe and help each other, and their relations have maintained a high level of development for a long time.

The construction of a community with a shared future between China and Cambodia has continued to advance in depth, accumulating valuable experience and playing a demonstrative role in building a community with a shared future for the surrounding areas and even for mankind, Zhen said.

"China and Cambodia use political mutual trust to safeguard the construction of a community with a shared future, economic and trade cooperation to strengthen the foundation of the construction of a community with a shared future, and cultural exchanges to win people's hearts and minds for the construction of a community with a shared future."

Think tank exchanges are an important part of cultural exchanges and play a unique role in enhancing policy communication, promoting practical cooperation and fostering people-to-people exchanges, Zhen said.

Khy Sovanratana, secretary of state in Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said the forum was an important platform to strengthen the unwavering commitment of Cambodia and China in promoting various areas of cooperation and reviewing significant developments.

The bilateral relationship has been nurtured by successive generations of leaders, he said.

"This historic bond has grown from strength to strength, evolving into an ironclad friendship built on the foundation of win-win cooperation, peaceful coexistence, mutual respect for independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and noninterference in internal affairs."

Strong ties

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cambodia and China on July 19, 1958, the two countries have developed a strong and multifaceted relationship, particularly in key areas of political, economic, military and cultural cooperation.

"The Diamond Cooperation Framework is a testament to our partnership, serving as a concrete road map based on mutual trust, shared objectives and commitments."

Sok Touch, president of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said Cambodia and China agreed in 2023 to develop the Diamond Cooperation Framework with six priority areas, including political cooperation, energy and people-to-people exchanges.

"Overall, I could say that Cambodia-China relations in the new era have reached the highest-ever level in history."

Kin Phea, director-general of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said that under the Diamond Cooperation Framework, the two countries have been working together to develop an "Industrial Development Corridor" and "Fish and Rice Corridor".

"China has always been ready to work with the international community to restore confidence in multilateralism and globalization, build an open and pluralistic world economy, and blaze a new trail in inclusive growth and sustainable development."

Xinhua