Phnom penh: Think tanks and media served as key bridges for deepening Cambodia-China relations towards building an all-weather Cambodia-China community with a shared future in the new era, Cambodian experts and university students said here on Friday. Speaking at a Cambodia-China think tank and media seminar in Phnom Penh, Yang Peou, secretary general of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, emphasized the crucial role these entities play in promoting ties between the two nations.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Yang Peou highlighted that think tanks and the media are pivotal in fostering mutual trust between Cambodia and China. These institutions contribute significantly to maintaining peace, increasing cooperation, and facilitating economic development on both regional and global scales. Peou elaborated on their interconnected role in shaping public perceptions and facilitating policy dialogue to support the “ironclad” friendship between Cambodia and China.

Kin Phea, director general of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the role of think tanks and media as bridges to a brighter future for Cambodia-China relations. He urged these institutions to actively highlight how the partnership between the two countries directly benefits Cambodians and fosters regional stability. Phea also called for more academic exchanges and joint research to provide intellectual support for future cooperation in areas such as the digital economy, green development, and human resource training.

Leng Ranim, a third-year student majoring in media and communication at the University of Cambodia, expressed her desire to promote Cambodia-China relations after graduation. She also shared her aspiration to visit Beijing, drawn by its rich history, which she believes would be beneficial for her studies and research.

Chhoeun Raksmey, an official at the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology, and Innovation, remarked on the seminar’s importance in promoting Cambodia-China relations among youths and researchers. He noted that the strong relations between the two countries have significantly contributed to Cambodia’s economic growth and poverty reduction efforts.