Queen Mother Marks 70 Years of Cambodia-China Friendship at Lunar New Year Gathering
Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk on Friday commemorated seven decades of diplomatic ties between Cambodia and China during a Lunar New Year visit to the Chinese Embassy in Phnom Penh, underscoring what both sides describe as an “ironclad” friendship.
The event marked the 70th anniversary of the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk’s first official visit to China on February 13, 1956 — a trip widely regarded as the foundation of modern Cambodia-China relations.
Welcomed by Chinese Ambassador Wang Wenbin, the Queen Mother toured the Cambodia-China Friendship Garden within the embassy compound, where two mango trees gifted decades ago by the late King Father and the Queen Mother still stand — now flourishing, diplomats said, as a symbol of enduring ties.
In his remarks, Wang described Sihanouk’s 1956 visit as the beginning of a “glorious chapter” in bilateral relations. He said the long-standing partnership, built on equality and mutual respect, continues to deepen across political, economic and cultural fields.
The Queen Mother paid tribute to the historical bonds forged with past Chinese leaders, including Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai, and expressed appreciation for China’s sustained support for Cambodia’s development.
In 2020, Chinese President Xi Jinping awarded her the Friendship Medal of the People’s Republic of China, the country’s highest honor for foreign nationals, in recognition of her role in strengthening bilateral ties.
Prime Minister Hun Manet also extended Lunar New Year greetings to Xi and Chinese Premier Li Qiang, reaffirming Cambodia’s commitment to what he called an “all-weather” comprehensive strategic partnership.
As Cambodia welcomed the Year of the Horse, both sides signaled that the historic relationship — rooted in personal diplomacy and reinforced by decades of cooperation — would continue to shape regional stability and shared development in the years ahead.
