AKP - Agent Kampuchea Press

Cambodia and China Become Strategic Partners

Phnom Penh, November 5, 2010 AKP -- Cambodia and China have expressed their congratulations on the rapid development over the bilateral relations and all-round cooperation in recent years, Cambodian Information Minister H.E. Khieu Kanharith told the media upon the meeting between Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen and visiting Chinese top legislator H.E. Mr. Wu Bangguo at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh on Thursday.

H.E. Khieu Kanharith who is also spokesman for the Royal Government of Cambodia further told the press that H.E. Wu Bangguo, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, has underlined China’s commitment to developing ties with Cambodia, labeling Cambodia as a reliable neighbor, friend and brother.

H.E. Wu Bangguo proposed the two countries to further deepen on agriculture cooperation, encouraging Chinese business to expand agricultural products trade with Cambodia and supporting Cambodia to upgrade its inspection and quarantine capability on agricultural products.

The top Chinese legislator called for stronger infrastructure construction cooperation, urging Chinese businesses to play a bigger part in Cambodian transportation, electricity, telecommunications construction and expressed his hope on stronger investment and industrial cooperation and appealing for faster construction of a special economic zone at Preah Sihanouk Port, which Chinese businesses got involved in the construction.

H.E. Wu Bangguo also thanked Cambodian government, particularly Premier Techo Hun Sen’s stance over the South China Sea crisis, in which Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has opposed to any attempt for the internationalization of the issue.

In reply, Samdech Techo Hun Sen agreed with H.E. Wu Bangguo, saying that the two countries should work more closely in agriculture, infrastructure, economic zone construction and resources development.

The Cambodian premier also reaffirmed Cambodia’s adherence to the one-China policy, saying that Cambodia banned any forces from separating China.

Following their meeting, the two leaders have also witnessed a singing ceremony for 16 deals between the two countries.

Earlier Thursday, the Chinese top legislator was also granted a royal audience by His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni, and met with Senate President Samdech Akka Moha Thamma Pothisal Chea Sim and National Assembly President Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrei Heng Samrin.

H.E. Wu Bangguo who is accompanied by his spouse and other entourages arrived in Phnom Penh on Wednesday afternoon for a four-day official visit to Cambodia at the invitation of Cambodian National Assembly President Samdech Heng Samrin. --AKP

(By KEO Chandara)

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PM Receives ICBC and BOC Chairmen

Phnom Penh, November 5, 2010 AKP -- Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, received here today Mr. Jiang Jianqing, chairman of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC).

In the meeting, Mr. Jiang said his bank has been conducting a study to open an ICBC’s branch in Cambodia because, he explained, Cambodia is China’s good friend and neighbor, Ieng Sophalet, assistant to the Cambodian premier told reporters after the meeting.

ICBC has so far established its branches in Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia, Mr. Jiang said, adding that the upcoming ICBC’s branch in Cambodia will provide credits to hydro-power field, in which many Chinese companies have invested and to other fields as well in order to contribute to Cambodia’s development.

In reply, the Cambodian prime minister welcomed and encouraged ICBC to open a branch in the country because, he said, Cambodia-China cooperation in the future as well as now will advance incessantly.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen further asked ICBC, once being present in Cambodia, to consider providing support to companies investing in agricultural field.

On the same day, the Cambodian premier also met with Mr. Li Lihui, chairman of the Bank of China (BOC).

Samdech Techo Hun Sen thanked BOC for providing loans to Royal Group, a private company. He said private sector is a major force pushing Cambodia into development. He thus urged BOC to continue its support to other private companies, particularly those investing in agricultural field. --AKP

(By SOKMOM Nimul)

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Spouse of China’s Top Legislature Chairman Appreciates Cambodia’s CRC President

Phnom Penh, November 5, 2010 AKP -- Mrs. Zhang Ruizhen, the spouse of H.E. Mr. Wu Bangguo, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, expressed strong appreciation and compliment at the work and merit in humanitarian activities of Lok Chumteav Bun Rany Hun Sen, president of Cambodian Red Cross (CRC).

Mrs. Zhang made the expression during a talk with the Cambodian CRC president on Nov. 4, 2010 in Phnom Penh.

In reply, Lok Chumteav Bun Rany Hun Sen expressed deep thanks to the Chinese people and government for their assistance to Cambodia, especially in improving and building many kinds of infrastructures including roads, schools, bridges, etc.

The CRC president attributed the achievements to increasing, good cooperation between both countries.

Lok Chumteav Bun Rany Hun Sen also extended profound thanks to the Chinese government for providing medical and health cares for the Cambodian King-Father Norodom Sihanouk and Queen-Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk. --AKP

(By Théng)

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Cambodia Hosts 6th Meeting of Anti-Corruption Body under ASEAN Framework

Phnom Penh, November 5, 2010 AKP -- Cambodia hosted on Nov. 4 the 6th annual meeting of the ASEAN member countries, the signatories to the Memorandum of Understanding on “Preventing and Fighting Corruption” at Apsara Angkor Hotel in Siem Reap province.

The meeting, scheduled to be concluded today, is aimed at sharing mutual experiences in fighting corruption among nine ASEAN member countries (Cambodia, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Laos PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam), according to a spokesman for the National Council of Anti-Corruption. --AKP

(By LIM Nary)

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Malaysia Airlines Steps Up Partnership with Cambodia

Phnom Penh, November 5, 2010 AKP -- Malaysian airlines has increased its routine flights to Cambodia due to higher demand from passengers, Chinese News Agency Xinhua quoted a statement released Thursday by Société Concessionnaire des Aéroports (SCA), which overseas airports in Cambodia.

“When flight MH 762 touched down at Phnom Penh International Airport on Nov. 3 at 15:59, it marked a new milestone in the partnership between the airport and the Malaysian carrier,” it said in the statement.

With the addition of two new weekly flights to its scheduled daily operations between Kuala Lumpur and Phnom Penh, Malaysian Airlines is showing its confidence in the traffic growth potential between the two countries, it added.

Passenger on board of the B737-800 (166 seats) were received and greeted by representative from both SCA & Malaysia Airlines.

The additional flights operate on Wednesday and Saturday, with arrival time at 16:10 pm and departure time at 17:10 pm.

Nicolas Deviller, CEO of SCA, the developer and operator of Cambodia’s international airports said, “Malaysia Airlines is the first airline that started operating at Phnom Penh International Airport when the country just reopened to the world in 1992.”

“We have built very strong relationships since then and they keep on growing. Today is a significant evidence of them,” he added.

Abdul Karim Md. Isa (Area Manager Cambodia) at Malaysia Airlines declared that “the growing market demand for the route prompts the airline to introduce additional frequency from 7 per weekly to 9 per weekly.”

Malaysia Airlines also operates three weekly flights between Siem Reap and Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays. --AKP