PHNOM PENH: Cambodia and China have signed 12 bilateral cooperation agreements to further deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership.

The signing ceremony took place in Beijing, China this afternoon under the witness of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and H.E. Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, following their bilateral summit.

The signed documents include the Agreement on Strengthening Cooperation in Building a Cambodia-China Community of Shared Future in the New Era; the Agreement on Kratie University Development Project, Phase 2 under the Chinese government's grant financing; the Action Plan on Trade and Economic Cooperation 2023-2024; the Protocol of Quarantine and Hygiene Requirements for Live Aquatic Animals to be Exported from Cambodia to China; the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between the Ministry of Information of Cambodia and the China Central Radio and Television; and the Agreement on Cooperation between the Agence Kampuchea Presse (AKP) and Chinese News Agency Xinhua.

Joint Statement on the Asian Cooperation Initiative for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage; Memorandum of Understanding on Cambodia-China Development Cooperation Plan 2023-2025; Exchange of Notes on Feasibility Study of Pilot Project for Poverty Reduction Cooperation in Cambodia, Phase 2; Letter of Handover and Acceptance of US$4.4 Million Grant for UXO Reduction Project in Cambodia; Framework Agreement and Concessional Loan Agreement for Dang Kambit Reservoir Development Project in Kampong Thom Province were also inked on the occasion.

After the signing ceremony, the two leaders officially launched the China-Cambodia Friendship Year marking the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In the same evening, Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen presided over the opening ceremony of the Cambodia-China Business, Investment, and Tourism Forum organized by the Ministry of Commerce of Cambodia, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Cambodian Chamber of Commerce, China International Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China.