In today's world, the entire human race is facing a major challenge in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic and only through unity and cooperation can the world effectively respond to and control the epidemic, said Khek Caimealy Sysoda, Cambodian ambassador to China.

Khek Caimealy Sysoda, Cambodia ambassador to China [Photo/dzwww.com]

The ambassador made these remarks in a signed article, which highlighted the fruitful cooperation between Cambodia and China.

She said that Cambodia and China enjoy a long history of friendship that dates back more than 1,000 years. The two countries established diplomatic relations on July 19, 1958.

Cambodia-China relations have been continuously strengthened and developed in the past 62 years, said the ambassador.

Since 2017, China has become Cambodia's largest source of foreign tourists. In addition, China is Cambodia's largest source of foreign investment, mainly in clothing, hydropower, rice milling, rubber planting and processing, mining and construction.

Cambodian exports to China include rice, textiles, rubber, cassava, sugar, pepper, cashews and bananas.

In June this year, the two sides signed an agreement on phytosanitary requirements that would pave the way for the exports of fresh mangoes from Cambodia to China.

She also highlighted the Cambodian Sihanoukville Special Economy Zone (SSEZ), which is being constructed by Chinese and Cambodian enterprises, as a landmark project under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Of the more than 170 enterprises that have invested in the SSEZ, about 150 are from China, including several from Shandong province.

The ambassador said that in view of the good cooperation between Cambodia and Shandong province, flights from Jinan, the capital of Shandong, to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap were opened in 2014, greatly facilitating business exchanges and passenger travel between the two sides.

In accordance with the agreement reached between the two governments, Cambodia will set up a consulate general in Jinan to further promote Cambodia-Shandong friendly relations and cooperation.

"I am convinced that this move will pave the way for practical cooperation in various fields and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results," she said.