From Sihanouk to Sihamoni: The enduring ironclad friendship between Cambodia and China
(L-R) Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, King Norodom Sihamoni, Chinese President Xi Jinping and First Lady Peng Liyuan at Zhongnanhai in Beijing on August 26. Xinhua
Despite sharing no common border, Cambodia and China have had centuries of historical, cultural and commercial relations. The earliest record of Cambodia by the Chinese goes back to the late 13th century, when Yuan emissary Zhou Daguan visited Cambodia in 1296 and authored his detailed and comprehensive A Record of Cambodia: The Land and its People, in which he mentions the presence of Chinese residents in Angkor.
However, the official, modern-day diplomatic ties between the two Asian countries began in the 1950s, established by the Father of Cambodia’s Independence, Prince Norodom Sihanouk, and China’s first Prime Minister, Zhou Enlai.
During the Bandung Conference in 1955, the King Father and then Chinese Premier forged a unique bond of friendship at first acquaintance, prompting the establishment of diplomatic ties between Cambodia and China on July 19, 1958.
“Destiny brought Zhou Enlai and me together for the first time in April 1955 at the Afro-Asian Countries Summit Conference hosted by President Sukarno of Indonesia,” King Father Sihanouk wrote in his memoir.
The monarch went on to describe Zhou as “the truest friend I’ve ever had.”
“What’s more, he’s an exquisite man, full of kindness and sophistication, the most aristocratic aristocrat one can meet,” the King Father wrote. “To those who can’t understand how I, a non-communist, could be friends with Zhou Enlai, I say, ‘But he’s a prince, more princely than I am!’”
When Prince Sihanouk visited China for the first time in February 1956, Zhou welcomed him as a close friend. When he met with Mao Zedong shortly after that, the Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party praised the prince for his policy of peace and neutrality.
And that was the beginning of the unique and iconic ironclad Cambodian-Chinese relationship that exists to this day.
On September 3, nearly 70 years after his father’s first visit to China, King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia stood among world leaders in Tiananmen Square as China marked the 80th anniversary of its victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and World War II against fascism.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan personally welcomed King Sihamoni and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, extending the highest honours to the Cambodian royal family. The royal members’ attendance at the commemorative events highlighted the deep cultural and diplomatic ties between the two nations.
The King’s participation in the commemorative events was seen as a powerful gesture of solidarity, especially as China seeks to deepen regional cooperation amid global uncertainties. Xi emphasised the importance of building an “all-weather China-Cambodia community with a shared future”, pledging support for Cambodia’s development path and long-term stability.
King Sihamoni joined more than 20 foreign dignitaries, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, on the Tiananmen rostrum as China showcased its military strength and historical legacy.
In the week prior to the parade, during a royal audience with King Sihamoni and Queen Mother Monineath, President Xi had reaffirmed China’s beautiful friendship with Cambodia, praising the two countries’ resilience through decades of geopolitical change.
“China-Cambodia relations have withstood the tests of international vicissitudes, and the two sides have forged an ironclad friendship by sharing weal and woe, which has become a precious asset for the two peoples and deserves to be cherished all the more by both sides,” Xi said.
Meanwhile, King Norodom Sihamoni has stated that the elevation of China-Cambodia relations to an “all-weather community with a shared future” reflects the deep trust and solidarity between the two nations.
“This new chapter opens opportunities for cooperation in sustainable development, notably in green transition, connectivity and technological innovation,” he stressed during an interview with People’s Daily.
“In connectivity, greater investment in infrastructure, transport and digital linkages will further enhance regional integration and economic growth.”
-Khmer Times-
