Cambodian deputy PM hails China's Global Governance Initiative as vital for just world order

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol has expressed strong support for China's Global Governance Initiative (CGI), describing the initiative as a vital step toward fostering a more inclusive and balanced international order.

The CGI was proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Tianjin last week.

During a recent interview with China Global Television Network in Xiamen City of east China's Fujian Province, Chanthol emphasized the initiative's alignment with Cambodia's development needs and China's role as a key partner.

"A small country like Cambodia needs support, needs not only financial support or, [like] other countries, needs not only the funding, but the technology, the know-how and so on, in order to grow the economy for their respective countries. And for Cambodia, we appreciate very much the Bell and Road initiative of President Xi Jinping that allows us to build a major infrastructure in Cambodia. Like China said, 'you want to get rich, build a road,' right? So, we thank China very much," he said.

The prime minister also highlighted China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which has advocated for the building of connectivity infrastructure across the globe.

"I'm sure the country also appreciates the initiative of President Xi Jinping in order to build infrastructure. Infrastructure is a key component for any economic development of any country around the world. So, we appreciate the support very much," he said.

Cambodia has benefited from major Belt and Road projects including the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway and the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone, which are often seen as great examples of consultation, joint construction, and shared benefits. Chanthol said these projects exemplify the principles that underpin China and Cambodia's cooperation, noting that the BRI is founded on the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits.

"China is Cambodia's iron-clad friend. We've been friends for years, for centuries, actually, and so we appreciate very much the support, not only the infrastructure, but China is the largest investor in Cambodia. China is the largest trading partner of Cambodia, and we continue to work closely with China. We need to diversify our market also rather than focus on one particular country. We need to work with China also to expand our export in order to create more jobs for our people," he said.

China has put forward four major global initiatives -- the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative, and most recently the Global Governance Initiative. Chanthol said that these initiatives not only boost economic growth but also contribute to the broader vision of international reform.

"No one country in the world should dominate, should dictate the way we operate, the way we develop our country. We must work together. So, we appreciate very much the new initiative, the government initiative that President Xi announced during the 'SCO Plus' summit. So, we offer it, we fully support it with that initiative. It's important that we work together for the benefit of the world, not the benefit of one dominant country," said Chanthol.