The Cambodian Ministry of Interior and the Chinese Ministry of Public Security will join the foreign and defence ministries of the two nations. PHOTO: MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION/THE PHNOM PENH POST
PHNOM PENH – Cambodia and China have announced the expansion of the “2+2” dialogue mechanism to “3+3”. The Cambodian Ministry of Interior and the Chinese Ministry of Public Security will join the foreign and defence ministries of the two nations. The move is intended to respond to an increase in bilateral cooperation and the evolution of the regional and international situation. The new agreement was one of the outcomes of the inaugural 2+2 Strategic Dialogue between the foreign and defence ministers of the two countries, held in Phnom Penh on April 22. Cambodian foreign minister Prak Sokhonn and defence minister Tea Seiha led the Kingdom’s delegation, while their Chinese counterparts Wang Yi and Dong Jun led the Chinese guest delegation.
According to a Cambodian foreign ministry press release, the inaugural dialogue is a major milestone in Cambodia-China relations, reflecting the shared commitment of both parties to strengthen strategic coordination and promote the building of an “All-weather Cambodia-China Community with a Shared Future in the New Era”. It noted that both sides noted that the Cambodia-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership continues to evolve with clarity, direction and ambition, demonstrating increased resilience and maturity. They reaffirmed the “Ironclad Friendship” between the two nations, based on mutual respect, trust and unwavering support for each other’s core interests.
Cambodia expressed strong support for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as well as the four Global Initiatives launched by President Xi Jinping regarding development, security, civilisation and governance. The dialogue also reflected shared views between the two countries on political, security and economic issues, as well as regional and international matters, it added. “Both sides emphasised the importance of maintaining high-level exchange visits, strengthening inter-institutional relations and promoting coordination among the ministries and institutions of the two countries,” said the release.
They agreed that the mechanism, now moving toward 3+3, will serve as a vital platform to deepen strategic relations, enhance policy coordination and jointly respond to emerging challenges within their respective countries, the region and the world. Both sides agreed to further deepen practical cooperation in both traditional and emerging sectors with high potential, including digital transformation, green development, the blue economy, resilient supply chain connectivity, financial cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. They also agreed to promote key cooperation frameworks, including the “Diamond Cooperation” framework, the “Industrial and Technological Corridor”, and the “Fish and Rice Corridor”, noting that they will continue to drive tangible results and mutual benefits for the countries and peoples of both nations.
