APD | Cambodia commits one China's policy

By APD writer Kin Ratha

PHNOM PEHN, April 11 (APD) - Cambodian government on Tuesday committed its foreign policy with China in order to enhance the bilateral ties to attract more Chinese investors and tourists into the country. 

Prime Minister Hun Sen said during Solidarity Dinner with Cambodian-Chinese Association on Tuesday said Cambodia's foreign policy has been implemented with China since King Norodom Sihanouk until the present King, adding that the government always supports the Chinese policy that respects China's sovereignty. 

“Now, our relationship between China-Cambodia becomes very comprehensive and strategic. With the relationship and cooperation, Cambodia hope to attract more Chinese investors and to receive more Chinese tourists to Cambodia,” said Mr. Hun Sen. 

He said that the number of Chinese tourists reached 1.7 million in 2018 and it will continue to increase that can contribute for the economic development of the country. 

“Cambodia is comprehensively open for the Chinese market to receive Cambodia’s products and we will create facilitation to attract Chinese investors and as well as Chinese tourists to Cambodia,” Mr. Hun Sen said.

From January to June, Chinese investment was worth $5 billion, making China the biggest investor in the Kingdom. Chinese investors are involved in almost every economic sector, from energy to infrastructure, and from tourism to real estate and finance. Trade between Cambodia and China reached $5.6 billion last year, a 12 percent increase from 2017’s $5 billion.

In late January, Chinese government agreed to increase the quota to 400,000 tonnes for 2019, up from last year’s 300,000 tonnes while Vietnamese government in February also agreed to extend its quota for Cambodian rice to 300,000 tonnes per annum.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)