Phnom Penh: Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly (NA) of Cambodia, hosted a significant courtesy call from H.E. Mr. Xu Hongcai, Chairman of the Budget Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC), at the NA Palace on November 19.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the meeting was marked by Samdech Khuon Sudary’s acknowledgment of the visit’s timely nature as Cambodia is in the process of finalizing its annual budget. She lauded the ongoing bilateral exchanges at various levels throughout the year, emphasizing the unwavering strength of the Cambodia-China friendship amidst global uncertainties.

Samdech Khuon Sudary extended her warm regards to H.E. Zhao Leji, Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, and H.E. Wang Huning, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. She expressed gratitude for their hospitality during her September visit to China. She highlighted the
mutual trust, respect, and understanding that underpin the relationship between the two nations, despite their differing global standings, aiming for the prosperity of their peoples.

Chairman Xu expressed his appreciation for the warm reception in Cambodia and noted that his visit was intended to engage with expert commissions to further strengthen bilateral ties. He highlighted the concerted efforts of both senior and emerging leaders from China and Cambodia to foster a high-quality, high-standard China-Cambodia community with a shared future. He underscored the importance of aligning China’s Belt and Road Initiative with Cambodia’s Pentagonal Strategy, as well as enhancing people-to-people connections.

Xu also recalled a memorandum of understanding signed between the NPC Standing Committee and Samdech Sudary to bolster legislative cooperation between the two countries.

The Cambodian NA president underscored China’s pivotal role in aiding poverty reduction initiatives in Cambodia, especially in rural area
s. She emphasized the importance of collaborating with China to achieve Cambodia’s objectives of becoming an upper middle-income country by 2030 and attaining high-income status by 2050. She reiterated the sentiment expressed by the NPC Standing Committee Chairman, stating that ‘the success of China is the success of Cambodia,’ as a guiding principle for strengthening Cambodia.

Samdech Khuon Sudary conveyed her best wishes to her Chinese counterparts, hoping for their continued health, prosperity, and success in achieving China’s goals. She expressed optimism for China’s support of the Global South and advocated for robust bilateral cooperation to benefit both nations and the broader region.

In related activities, the NA president also met earlier on Tuesday with H.E. Mr. Huang Li, Chairman of the Social Affairs Committee of the Guangdong Provincial People’s Congress in southern China.