Cambodian, Myanmar discuss bilateral cooperation and ASEAN issues
Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn met the visiting Foreign Minister of Myanmar, U. Wunna Maung Lwin, to discuss bilateral cooperation and ASEAN issues…reports Asian Lite News
At the meeting held on Tuesday, Lwin congratulated Cambodia as the incoming chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2022 and expressed full support for Cambodia’s priorities and deliverables, the press release said.
Cambodian, Myanmar discuss bilateral cooperation and ASEAN issues
In the joint effort to fight against Covid-19, Myanmar’s foreign minister appreciated Cambodia’s timely assistance in cash and kind which contributed to Myanmar’s effort to control and mitigate the severe impacts of Covid to the country, Xinhua news agency reported.
For his part, Sokhonn thanked Myanmar for providing Cambodian nationals living and working in Myanmar with Covid vaccination and requested Myanmar to render them necessary support for their stay.
“Both sides agreed to enhance works in advancing cooperation on areas such as trade, economic, people-to-people exchanges as well as cooperation on multilateral fora,” the press release said.
Earlier in the day, Lwin paid a courtesy call on Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen, and both sides exchanged views on bilateral relations and recent regional development.
“There was also a candid discussion on how to support efforts in addressing the Myanmar crisis, as well as enhancing ASEAN and solidarity,” the press release said.
It added that Hun Sen accepted an invitation to visit Myanmar on January 7-8, 2022.
Lwin concluded his two-day working visit to Cambodia on Tuesday.
Cambodia-Philippines joins to broaden cooperation in post-Covid era
Cambodia and the Philippines have pledged to broaden their cooperation in various fields during the post-Covid-19 era for mutual benefits, the Cambodian Foreign Ministry said in a statement…reports Asian Lite News
The statement was issued on Friday after the third meeting of the Cambodia-Philippines Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (third JCBC), which was co-chaired by Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn and Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin on December 1-2 via video link.
Cambodia-Philippines joins to broaden cooperation in post-Covid era
“Both sides had in-depth discussion on issues of common interests and explored the potentials to expand and deepen the existing good cooperation in political-security, defence, trade and investment, agriculture and agribusiness, tourism, air-connectivity, culture, labour, education and vocational training, science, technology and innovation, health, and environment,” it said.
On defense and security cooperation, the two sides agreed to strengthen law enforcement in addressing growing challenges facing the region such as terrorism, drug trafficking and trafficking in persons, arms smuggling, money laundering, piracy on high seas, cybercrimes, identity fraud and illegal wildlife trade, the press release said.
They also noted the vast potential and opportunity for economic cooperation between the two countries, it said, adding that they committed to further stimulating two-way trade and investment through the arrangement of more joint trade events, Xinua news agency reported.
“The two sides welcomed the virtual signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Cambodia Chamber of Commerce (CCC) and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), aiming to increase trade and investment between both countries,” the statement said.
On the tourism sector, the two sides underscored the importance of the the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2022 to be held on January 16-22 in southwestern Cambodia’s Preah Sihanouk province, which will focus on reopening the region in a more resilient, sustainable and responsible recovery.
“The Philippine side announced that the Philippine Airlines will be operating direct-flights weekly between Phnom Penh and Manila next month,” the statement said.
The two countries also expressed their commitment to strengthen coordination and continue supporting each other in regional and international fora, particularly within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the UN frameworks, it said.
Cambodian PM: Eldest son Manet will be one of PM candidates after him
Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen revealed on Thursday that his eldest son Hun Manet will be one of the prime ministerial candidates after the father’s possible retirement in 2030…reports Asian Lite News
Hun Sen, 69, said he would stay in power until 2030 and after that he would name Manet to be a prime ministerial candidate in general elections, Xinhua news agency reported.
Cambodian PM: Eldest son Manet will be one of PM candidates after him
“I would like to announce today that Hun Manet will be one of the prime ministerial candidates and I fully support him for this post,” he said in a speech during an inauguration ceremony of road infrastructure in southwestern Preah Sihanouk province broadcast live on the National Television of Cambodia.
Manet, 44, is currently a member of the Permanent Committee of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party. He is also a deputy commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and the commander of the Royal Cambodian Army.
The visit of Sherman on Tuesday coincided with a column from Prime Minister Hun Sen in Cambodia’s state-owned news agency. It said it was “time for the US and Cambodia, in China’s shadow, to reset ties”…reports Asian Lite News
Cambodia, China’s closest ally in south-east Asia, looks to ‘reset ties’ with US amid a landmark visit to Phnom Penh by US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman.
Chris Barrett writing in The Sydney Morning Herald said Cambodia is viewed as vassal of China, but there are signs emerging of discomfort from within the one-party south-east Asian nation about its over-dependence on the superpower.
The visit of Sherman on Tuesday coincided with a column from Prime Minister Hun Sen in Cambodia’s state-owned news agency. It said it was “time for the US and Cambodia, in China’s shadow, to reset ties”, reported The Sydney Morning Herald.
Sherman is on a regional tour that has already taken in Indonesia and includes a stop in Thailand but it is the visit to Cambodia that is most noteworthy in the context of the geopolitical rivalry between the US and China, wrote Barrett.
“The fact that the US Deputy Secretary of State is visiting speaks volumes to Cambodia’s degree of discomfort at the position it has found itself in, in relation to China, its investments and China’s expectations arising from those investments in Cambodia,” said John Blaxland, professor of International Security and Intelligence Studies at the Australian National University.
“There are voices in the Cambodian government – they’re not very loud ones but they are reasonably influential – that are very uncomfortable with the degree to which Cambodia has become dependent on China.”
China has channelled billions into Cambodia in projects under its Belt and Road Initiative, most glaringly in coastal Sihanoukville, where dozens of casino developments for Chinese tourists shot up in recent years, reported The Sydney Morning Herald.
Had a candid meeting with Prime Minister Hun Sen. Underscored issues central to our bilateral ties: demonstrable action to safeguard democracy and human rights, and the need for Cambodia to maintain an independent and balanced foreign policy. https://t.co/ydfEK9NNsD
The noises being made about mending bridges with the US suggest Cambodia is seeking to find middle ground, wrote Barrett.
The issue for the US is how it can strengthen ties when it has been such a vocal critic of human rights abuses in Cambodia. The Hun Sen regime dissolved the main opposition party in the lead-up to the 2018 election and has placed nearly 150 party members on trial for treason and incitement.
Mu Sochua, vice-president of the banned Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), on Tuesday questioned whether charges of treason would be withdrawn against CNRP president Kem Sokha, who was accused of colluding with the Americans in a plot to overthrow Hun Sen four years ago. Last year, the US ambassador to Cambodia, Patrick Murphy, labelled such alleged plots as “fabricated conspiracy theories”.
Blaxland, however, believes the Biden administration is playing a different tune to its predecessor, reported The Sydney Morning Herald.
“It’s not hammering Hun Sen at the moment over human rights or democracy issues. It’s just trying to engage,” Blaxland said.
He also suggested Hun Manet, the eldest son of Hun Sen, who has reportedly been groomed as his successor, as a potentially key figure in improving relations. A general in the Cambodian army, the 43-year-old is a graduate of US military academy West Point.
Another important factor is Cambodia taking over as chair of ASEAN next year. It was five years ago that Phnom Penh stood in the way of the regional bloc issuing a statement acknowledging an international court ruling that found China had no legal basis for its claim to most of the South China Sea, wrote Barrett.
China’s maritime ambitions have again been a hot topic this week. Beijing has helped pay for the redevelopment of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base following the dismantling US-funded facilities there last year and the Washington-based Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative last week published satellite images of two buildings it said had been rapidly built ahead of Sherman’s visit. (ANI)
