Beijing, April 20th—Song Tao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, held a video conference here today with Prak Sokhonn, Member of the Central Committee of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), Chairman of the External Relations Commission of the CPP Central Committee, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia.

Song conveyed General Secretary Xi Jinping's warm greetings to Hun Sen, President of the CPP and Cambodian Prime Minister, and said, General Secretary Xi Jinping and President Hun Senreached important consensus on continuously promoting the building of a China-Cambodia community with a shared future during theirphone conversation not long ago, which has charted the course for the development of China-Cambodia relations for the next stage. China and Cambodia are iron-clad friends. The two sides have worked together to fight the COVID-19 epidemic, make solid progress in the joint construction of cooperation projects under the Belt and Road Initiative, and expand bilateral trade cooperation. Under the new situation, the Chinese side is willing to work with the Cambodian side to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two Parties, make good use of the China-Cambodia Free Trade Agreement, the entry into force of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and other favorable conditions, and deepen cooperation in the fields including economy, trade, tourism, culture and education, to bringgreater benefits to the two countries and peoples. The Chinese side fully supports Cambodia's chairmanship of ASEAN this year, and supports the Cambodian sidein playing a greater role in maintaining regional peace and stability. China is willing to work with the Cambodian side to promote the development of China-ASEAN relations, maintain peace and stability in the region and the world, and promote prosperity and development.

Song said that the relationship between the two Parties has played a strong political leading role in the development of relations between the two countries. The CPC is willing to work with the CPP to follow the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two Parties, strengthen mutual learning on the experience of state governance and administration, promote exchanges between the counterpart departments of the two Parties and local Party committees of the two Parties, and constantly enrich the content of cooperation between the two Parties. The Chinese side firmly supports Cambodia in exploring a development path that suits its national conditions, and supports Cambodia's efforts to maintain national security and stability and resist external interference. China is willing to work together with Cambodia to promote the common values of humanity and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. Song also introduced the decisive significance of the establishment of Comrade Xi Jinping's core position on the CPC Central Committee and in the Party as a whole and the defining of the guiding role of  Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in the New Era put forward at the Sixth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee to the development of the causes of the CPC and China in the new era and to advancing the historical process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. He said, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core, we will adhere to the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability, forge ahead on a new journey and achieve new victories to welcomethe successful convening of the 20th CPC National Congress with excellent achievements.

Prak Sokhonn conveyed President Hun Sen's sincere greetings to General Secretary Xi Jinping and congratulated China on building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and realizing remarkable development achievements under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core. Prak Sokhonn said, the Cambodian side thanks the Chinese side for providing anti-epidemic assistance and helping Cambodia's economic and social development. Cambodia regards China as an iron-clad friend and a comprehensive strategic cooperative partner. Cambodia will continue to firmly adhere to the one-China principle,extend firm support on issues concerning China's core interests, and resolutely oppose the interference by external forces in China's internal affairs. The CPP attaches great importance to its relations with the CPC and is willing to give play to the important role of inter-party channel to promote the building of a Cambodia-China community with a shared future and to push for more results in practical cooperation between the two countries in various fields. The Cambodian sidepraises and supports the Global Development Initiative andother important initiatives proposed by General Secretary Xi Jinping. As the rotating chair of ASEAN this year, Cambodia will promoteASEAN and China’s joint building of a peaceful,safe and secure,prosperous, beautiful, and an amicable home, facilitate the development of ASEAN-China relations and better safeguard regional peace and stability. The Cambodian side wished the 20th CPC National Congress a complete success.

Guo Yezhou, Vice-minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee and Suos Yara, First Vice Chairman of the External Relations Commission of the CPP, were present.

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