Xi’s Cambodia visit yields fruitful results: Chinese ambassador

Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded a successful two-day state visit to Cambodia on Friday, setting a new milestone in developing the China-Cambodian relations, said Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin.

In the garden of the Chinese Embassy in Cambodia, Wang showcased two mango trees gifted by Cambodia's King Father Norodom Sihanouk and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk in 1967.

The two mango trees have since grown into tall, fruit-bearing trees, which, Wang said, symbolizes the current state of development of the China-Cambodia ties -- carefully cultivated by the older generation of the leaders of the two countries and now bearing fruits.

"President Xi's just-concluded visit to Cambodia was his first state visit to the Southeast Asian country in nine years, to which both the government of Cambodia and its people attached great importance. During his visit, President Xi was accorded the highest level of honors. When President Xi arrived in Cambodia on Thursday, he was greeted at the airport by King Norodom Sihamoni and Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen. It was the first time in over 20 year since King Korodom Sihamoni's accession that he personally went to the airport to greet a visiting foreign leader, a truly extraordinary gesture," said Wang.

"As you have seen, more than 30,000 Cambodians from all walks of life lined the roads to welcome President Xi. And today, as President Xi concluded his visit and was departing from Cambodia, Samdech Techo Hun Sen led senior officials from the Senate, the National Assembly and the government to the airport to see him off, fully demonstrating the deep warmth for President Xi and the high regard Cambodia holds for his visit," he said.

Wang noted that China and Cambodia were the first two countries in the world to sign an action plan on building a community with a shared future.

"China and Cambodia were the first two countries in the world to sign an action plan for building a community with a shared future. During Xi's visit, both sides agreed to jointly build an all-weather China-Cambodia community with a shared future in the new era, elevating the bilateral relationship to a new high. I believe that in the future, China and Cambodia will continue to play an exemplary role in building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries and in building a community with a shared future for mankind," he said.

Xi's visit has also brought tangible results on the pragmatic cooperation between the two countries, said the ambassador.

"During President Xi's state visit to Cambodia, a total of 37 cooperation documents were signed, covering areas such as industrial and supply chain collaboration, artificial intelligence, development assistance, customs inspection and quarantine, as well as health and journalism. Both sides agreed to promote the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Cooperation Plan and accelerate the construction of the Industrial Development Corridor and the Fish and Rice Corridor. The achievements are fruitful," he said.

"During his visit, President Xi and Cambodian leaders had in-depth discussions on the current international situation, and on how to strengthen cooperation and coordination between the two countries in the face of the complex international situation. President Xi made it clear that unilateralism and hegemony receive no support of the people. Senate President Hun Sen also expressed willingness to work more closely with China to jointly tackle various risks and challenges. Together, China and Cambodia sent a clear message to the world that they are united in addressing the risks and challenges and in safeguarding international peace and stability," said Wang.

Beyond diplomacy and economics, the two countries are also strengthening people-to-people ties, Wang noted.

"The Chinese and Cambodian people are like one family. In Cambodia, More and more people are now learning Chinese. With the year of 2025 designated as the China-Cambodia Year of Tourism, I believe that it will further encourage the people of the two countries to travel, do business, and conduct exchanges in each other's countries," said Wang.

Xi’s Cambodia visit yields fruitful results: Chinese ambassador

With dramyin lute and cymbals in hand and dressed in colorful traditional costume, 17-year-old Tenzin Norbu is among the proud youngsters in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region who have been helping preserve the centuries-old Tibetan opera, a multifaceted representative of Tibetan art and cultural heritage. Considered a living fossil of Tibetan culture, Tibetan opera is a comprehensive art combining folk songs, dance, storytelling, chant, acrobatics and religious performance. It was included on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009.

Tenzin grew up listening to Tibetan opera along with his grandmother. The beat of the drum marked the rhythm of his childhood and quietly planted the seed of a dream.

The teenager leads a youth Tibetan opera troupe and guides his peers onto the very stage they once only dreamed of. He named it "Phudor Youth Tibetan Opera Troupe", because "Phudor" means "dream" in the Tibetan language.

"There are about 24 members in the troupe," said the teenager.

Tenzin once received a very special invitation to perform Tibetan opera for the opening ceremony of an art festival in Lhasa.

Although both their parents and teachers felt it's important for the children to be exposed to traditional culture from a young age, they didn't want it to affect their schoolwork.

The performance they were getting ready for was the first Sweet Tea House Art Festival, the troupe's very first public appearance. It's a rare opportunity for the children -- one too precious for them to pass up. But with their parents growing anxious about preparation for the performance eating into valuable study time, the children opted to rehearse in secret at weekends. Tenzin's family runs a tailor's shop. His father, who is hearing- and speech-impaired, is a superb tailor, while his mother helps him out by dealing with customers. Tenzin enjoyed Tibetan opera with his grandmother during childhood and later learned more about it from his uncle.

"Whenever I'm not feeling good, I'll take out the dramyin lute and the cymbals. When I hear the drumbeat, I get a feeling of elation that's simply indescribable," he said.

When Tenzin finally stepped onto the stage at the festival, he noticed that his parents were not in the audience. "My parents didn't have time to come to see my performance. But they always support me. They work hard every day, also for my sake. So, I'm happy whether they were here or not as long as I can keep performing Tibetan opera," said the youngster, believing that his passion for Tibetan opera will last a lifetime.

Childhood dream takes local boy onto Tibetan opera stage