PHNOM PENH - Premier Li Keqiang's upcoming official visit to Cambodia will be of great significance to Lancang-Mekong cooperation and China-Cambodia ties, Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Xiong Bo said in a recent signed article.This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cambodia. Li's visit to Cambodia is significant in consolidating the two countries' traditional friendship, expanding pragmatic cooperation, comprehensively promoting the development of the Lancang-Mekong River Cooperation (LMC) mechanism and jointly building a community of shared future by China and its neighbors, the ambassador said.The friendship that was forged and cultivated by Chinese and Cambodian leaders of previous generations has grown stronger, Xiong said, adding that the historical visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Cambodia in October 2016 opened a new era for the two countries to develop their comprehensive strategic partnership.Li will attend the second LMC leaders' meeting in Phnom Penh and pay an official visit to Cambodia from Jan 10 to 11. The LMC comprises six countries -- Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.Li's upcoming visit will inject impetus into the development of China-Cambodia ties in the new era, Xiong said.China and Cambodia are highly complementary in their economies and share closely aligned development strategies, with great cooperation potential in the fields of global production capacity, trade and investment, infrastructure interconnectivity and energy resources, he said.According to statistics, as of October 2017, China has been the biggest source of foreign investment for Cambodia, with the agreed investment amount to Cambodia standing at $12.57 billion which accounts for 36.4 percent of the country's total foreign investment, Xiong said, while stressing China's contribution to the social and economic development of Cambodia.China and Cambodia have maintained close cooperation on global and regional issues, understood and supported each other on issues concerning their core interests and major concerns, and jointly preserved regional peace, stability and development, he added.The LMC mechanism has grown rapidly in less than two years and demonstrated strong vitality and robust development momentum under the political guidance of the leaders of the six countries, Xiong said.China highly values Cambodia's contribution to the development of the LMC mechanism and is willing to build an economic development zone in the Lancang-Mekong region and promote the establishment of a community of shared future with related countries, the ambassador said.Xiong said he expects that the upcoming LMC leaders' meeting will achieve fruitful results, chart the course for the future development of the mechanism and inject impetus, so as to benefit the people in the region.The Communist Party of China successfully held its 19th National Congress in October 2017, identifying the direction and goal of China's foreign policy in the new era which is holding high the banner of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit, promoting the establishment of a new type of international relations and a community of shared future for mankind, he said.We believe that, under the guidance of the leadership of China and Cambodia, as well as joint efforts of regional countries, the Chinese premier's visit will make new contributions to the further development of the China-Cambodia comprehensive strategic partnership, and regional peace, stability and prosperity, Xiong said. wristbands canadacustom silicone bracelets canadarubber bracelets canadasilicone bracelets canadasilicone wristbands canadacustom wristbands canadacanadian wristbandswristbands canada
Expert says planned economic growth helps millions gain footingChina's experience in tackling poverty, a priority laid out by top leaders, should be shared by the world, said an expert with a think tank based in Thailand.The country has done marvelously well in tackling poverty over the past years, said Kriengsak Chareonwongsak, president of Thailand's Institute of Future Studies for Development.Its battle against poverty has not only reduced the number of poor people in the nation, but also helped bring down the level of poverty globally, he said.China's experience can be valuable and we should learn from China humbly, said Kriengsak, who also is a prime ministerial adviser and chairman of Thailand's Nation-Building Institute International.Premier Li Keqiang said in his Government Work Report, delivered at the opening of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress on March 5, that targeted poverty alleviation is one of the country's three tough tasks this year and that the government is ready to lift another 10 million people above the poverty line this year.He noted that 68 million people had escaped poverty since 2012, when the Communist Party of China held its 18th National Congress. President Xi Jinping has also encouraged the country to be resolute in eradicating absolute poverty by 2020.Liu Yongfu, director of the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development, said 30.46 million people remained below the poverty line by the end of 2017. The poverty line in China is a net annual income of 2,300 yuan ($363) as measured in 2010.Since the start of reform and opening-up, China has lifted 700 million people out of poverty, representing more than 70 percent of the global reduction, according to a report published in 2016 by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the State Council, China's Cabinet. Another 10 million people escaped poverty last year.Kriengsak said: We should think of how the Chinese economy has done this with an open mind.... We should learn and apply and bring it over to many other countries.He said he appreciates how China has tackled poverty with a strong focus on innovative technology and research and development, and expects to see a more targeted approach to deal with the remaining stubbornly poor.You can help a lot of poor people with the general approach (as the economy grows), but you need a targeted approach (to those who are still poor) and to find a specific policy that really empowers them out of poverty, Kriengsak said.This year marks the 40th anniversary of the launch of reform and opening-up, and Kriengsak said China's lesson can be useful for others, as the world's second-largest economy - despite the sheer size of its population - has been able to continue to grow in a fast and modern pace in the past decades.He said good political leadership and a stable political system can create a favorable environment for the stable growth of China's economy, which has already exceeded expectations with its GDP growth rate reaching 6.9 percent in 2017.Kriengsak said the peaceful rise of China should be the theme that will make the world feel certain and secure. So far, I think China has made this message clear, he [email protected]
