Going with the flow, sailing the boat of friendship - Yunnan enhances the 'China-Cambodia Friendship Year'

2023 marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Cambodia, as well as the "China-Cambodia Friendship Year." It's also the 10th anniversary of the "Belt and Road" initiative. Recently, a gala for the 65th anniversary of Sino-Cambodian diplomatic ties and the "Beautiful China • Colorful Yunnan" cultural exchange series made their way to Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh, and the ancient city of Siem Reap. Wherever they went, there was continuous applause.

"Going with the flow and sailing the boat of friendship," this series adds luster to the "China-Cambodia Friendship Year." Sponsored by the Chinese Embassy in Cambodia, the Cambodian Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, and the People's Government of Yunnan Province, and hosted by the News  Yunnan Province and the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Yunnan Province, this series has made valuable explorations and practices to strengthen cultural exchanges between China and Cambodia, mutual learning among civilizations, and continuously consolidate and promote the ironclad friendship between China and Cambodia. The three words "缘" (fate), "源" (source), and "原" (origin) might encapsulate the deep affection and friendship between China and Cambodia that transcends time and space.

"Connected by Water"

Located in the southwestern border of China, Yunnan has always been the terrestrial gateway from China to South Asia and Southeast Asia. Originating from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the Lancang River-Mekong River winds its way over 4,900 kilometers, traversing Yunnan and flowing southward through Cambodia.

The millennia-old sincere friendship between China and Cambodia flows ceaselessly, much like the waters of the Lancang-Mekong River. Ancient porcelain excavated in Cambodia's Takeo Province traces the history of friendly interactions between the two countries back to the 1st century AD. In Cambodian archaeological digs, bronze drums from Yunnan, China have been discovered. On the murals of the famous Bayon Temple, one can clearly see the armies of both countries marching together, jointly resisting foreign invaders...

On the evening of August 28th, a gala commemorating the 65th anniversary of China-Cambodia diplomatic relations and the inauguration of the "Beautiful China • Colorful Yunnan" cultural exchange series was grandly held on the banks of the Mekong River in Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital. The 3,000-seat Diamond Island Opera House was packed.

Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Cabinet Office, Ong Sei Viso, attended the event and delivered a speech. He said that China is a good friend of Cambodia, continuously supporting the protection of Cambodia's cultural heritage as well as its social and economic development. He expressed wishes for the everlasting friendship between Cambodia and China.

At the gala, artists from Yunnan, China, and Cambodia presented a splendid performance featuring "Chinese traditional cultural charm, Yunnan ethnic style, and a blend of Sino-Cambodian arts and culture" through various forms such as dance, singing, and music, winning continuous applause from the audience.

"The two countries of Cambodia and China are as interdependent as lips and teeth, hands and feet. They have been continuously developing and elevating in friendship, mutual trust, and sincere cooperation," said Liso Lean, a Cambodian audience member and a Chinese translator. He told reporters that the gala depicted the interconnected natural and cultural histories of the two countries, conveying the deep bond and trust between them.

"Fresh Water at the Source"

The great river rages on, sometimes crashing in wild waves upon the shore, and at other times flowing quietly and deeply. In the 65 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cambodia, the two countries have always supported and assisted each other through thick and thin. Despite the ever-changing international landscape, they've forged an unbreakable "iron-clad" friendship.

Thanks to this "iron-clad" bond, economic and trade cooperation between the two nations has become increasingly close. Over the past decade, their joint efforts in the "Belt and Road" initiative have promoted the development of Cambodia in areas like infrastructure, economic investment, and connectivity, achieving mutual benefits. Currently, China stands as the largest foreign direct investor in Cambodia and is also its biggest trading partner.

Yunnan is the Chinese province closest to Cambodia. In 2004, Cambodia set up a consulate general in Kunming, Yunnan, marking the beginning of collaboration between the two in various areas, including economic trade, sister cities, pandemic response, and education.

As part of a series of events, the "Invitation from Yunnan to Cambodia" tourism promotion and signing event held on August 28th at the Diamond Island Convention Center in Phnom Penh provided yet another platform for cultural and tourism exchanges and cooperation between China and Cambodia.

The event introduced to the Cambodian public the diverse and colorful landscapes and cultures of Yunnan, extending an invitation, and hoping they'd visit and explore Yunnan. Numerous Sino-Cambodian cultural and tourism companies and institutions signed cooperative agreements to promote collaborations in fields such as news, publishing, tourism, performance arts, and media.

Liu Xiaoguang, Chairman of the Cambodia-China Journalists Association, said in an interview with China News Service, "With this event as a platform, we have the opportunity to cooperate with Yunnan's Media Integration Laboratory, helping more Cambodian media practitioners enhance their new media communication skills."

The following day, at the campus of the Royal University of Phnom Penh in Cambodia, the "Go Where the Wind Blows" Chinese Cultural Experience Day took place. An exhibition titled "A Life Called Yunnan" also attracted many visitors. Dr. Zheng Jili, the president of the Royal University of Phnom Penh, shared that the university has been partnering with Dali University in China to co-establish a Chinese language center for over a decade. The number of Cambodian students at the center has been increasing year by year. Many graduates have grown into professionals in various fields of Sino-Cambodian cooperation, becoming torchbearers of the friendship between the two countries.

"It All Started With You"

"When eyes meet, deeper emotions are felt, even without words." In Cambodia, the name of a Chinese man, Zhou Daguan, is always on people's lips.

As early as the end of the 13th century, Zhou Daguan, an envoy from China's Yuan Dynasty, visited Zhenla (ancient name for parts of Cambodia) and wrote "A Record of Cambodia," documenting the culture, people, and lifestyle of Cambodia during the Angkor period. This record is considered the oldest historical document on Cambodia and has played an irreplaceable role in the comprehensive excavation and restoration of the Angkor ruins.

The "Eye Contact and Smile" China (Yunnan) - Cambodia (Siem Reap) Cultural Heritage Exploration and Conservation Exchange was held in Siem Reap on August 30th. The Deputy Governor of Siem Reap Province, Yun Linnai, said during the meeting, "The world-renowned Angkor monuments have been listed as a World Heritage Site since 1992. Chinese experts have assisted in the restoration of the Zhou Sa Temple and Ta Keo Temple and are currently working on the Sky Palace. The Cambodian people will never forget the efforts China has made. This is a testament to the ever-continuing and deepening brotherly friendship between Cambodia and China."

He Jinlong, a researcher from the Yunnan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, stated that three ethnic groups now residing in southern and southwestern Yunnan – the Wa, Bulang, and De'ang – are evidence of the ancient migration of the Mon-Khmer linguistic family from ancient times northward into Yunnan, where they have continued to thrive until today.

In recent years, China has built eight bridges across the Mekong River for Cambodia, as well as nearly 4,000 kilometers of various types of roads. The irrigation projects built cover an area of about 420,000 hectares. Moreover, a modern international airport in Siem Reap, funded by Yunnan enterprises, will officially open this October.

Following the exchange, a cultural evening to mark the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Cambodia was inaugurated with a Sino-Cambodian dance titled "Unity Blooms, Deepening China-Cambodia Ties," eliciting thunderous applause from the audience.

"Who knows the wine on the river, still shared with old friends?" In the long river of history, the ancient Chinese civilization and the mysterious Angkor culture once again shine together. With eye contact and smiles, mutual support and assistance, Yunnan pushes forward the boat of friendship, filled with the affections of the people from both nations. It sails down the Lancang-Mekong River, moving forward towards Cambodia, heading towards the vast universe.