On 6 December 2024, Secretary General Shi Zhongjun of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) met in Phnom Penh with Dr. Kung Phoak, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and ASEAN SOM Leader of Cambodia.

Shi Zhongjun expressed appreciation to Dr. Kung Phoak for attending the ASEAN-China Week (ACW) events, the annual flagship project of the ACC, for two consecutive years, which fully demonstrated the significance attached by the Cambodian side to the sustained growth of the ACC. The ACC looks forward to closer communication with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, so as to better play its connecting and bridging roles in implementing the important consensus reached by the leaders of China and ASEAN, and facilitating cooperation between the Chinese local governments and Cambodia as well as other AMS in such areas as agriculture, poverty alleviation, and putting up programs under the framework of the ASEAN-China Year of People-to-people Exchanges. Such efforts will definitely consolidate public support for Cambodia-China comprehensive strategic partnership and contribute to building an even closer ASEAN-China community with a shared future.

Dr. Kung Phoak said that the long-term, steady and sound growth of ASEAN-China relations not only benefits both sides, but also well serves our region and the world at large. Under the new circumstances, Cambodia stands ready to bring into full play the ACC’s role, so as to work with China and other AMS to translate important consensus between the leaders into concrete results, boost post-pandemic recovery, deepen practical cooperation, enhance mutual understanding, and expand people-to-people exchanges, thus bringing forth tangible benefits to the peoples in the region. He spoke highly of the ACC’s innovative efforts in promoting ASEAN-China practical cooperation, especially in the areas of sharing China’s experience in all-round poverty alleviation and rural revitalization, which is of great interest to Cambodia and other developing countries. Cambodia looks forward to the ACC designing and delivering more cooperation projects addressing the urgent needs of related AMS.