Li Keqiang Visits Exhibition Marking 30 Years of China-Cambodia Exchanges and Cooperation on Cultural Heritage and Attends the Handover Ceremony of Restoration Project

On the morning of November 10, 2022 local time, Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council, accompanied by High Representative of Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen and Deputy Prime Minister Chea Sophara, visited an exhibition marking the 30 years of China-Cambodia exchanges and cooperation on cultural heritage in Siem Reap, and attended the handover ceremony of the China-assisted Ta Keo Temple restoration project at Angkor.

Li Keqiang first listened to a presentation on the ongoing cooperation between China and Cambodia in the field of cultural heritage, and viewed with great interest exhibition boards displaying cooperation achievements in this field. He also inquired about the techniques and construction materials applied in the restoration of cultural relics, scientific research on cultural relics, the measures adopted for antiquities preservation, and international exchanges and cooperation on cultural heritage, among others.

In his speech at the handover ceremony of the restoration project, Li Keqiang said  that this year marks the 30th anniversary of China-Cambodia exchanges and cooperation on cultural heritage. Thanks to  the exchanges, mutual learning, and inclusive cooperation among civilizations, the development of humanity has come a long way with fruitful results. China and Cambodia both have a time-honored history and a splendid culture, and mutual learning has contributed significantly to the growth of China-Cambodia relations. The two peoples' understanding and knowledge about each other's country and culture have laid a solid foundation for bilateral friendship. People-to-people interactions not only bring together diverse cultures, but also people's hearts, and all this has a crucial role to play in keeping international industrial and supply chains stable and smooth under the current circumstances.

Premier Li noted that the Angkor antiquities not only epitomize the splendid Khmer civilization, they are also a source of pride of the Cambodian nation. Over the years, many Eastern and Western countries have actively participated in the preservation and restoration of Angkor antiquities. The Ta Keo Temple project that China handed over on Thursday is the second restoration project undertaken by the Chinese government under the International Coordinating Committee for the Safeguarding and Development of the Historic Site of Angkor (ICC-Angkor). This project is good for Cambodia, good for China-Cambodia friendship, and good for inter-civilization exchanges and mutual learning. He expressed the hope that the Angkor antiquities, a treasure of human civilization, will brim with even greater vitality.

Li noted that the preservation and harness of cultural heritage call for exchanges and cooperation, and the development of state-to-state relations and the progress of humanity cannot happen without exchanges and cooperation. China stays committed to the fundamental national policy of opening up, and stands ready to draw strength from all outstanding achievements of human civilizations, carry out practical cooperation with other countries in such areas as economy, society, cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and promote mutual understanding and connectivity among the peoples, so as to contribute to safeguarding peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region and the world at large.

Chea Sophara said that Cambodia and China are as close as brothers, and have respected and supported each other. The close cooperation between the two sides has boosted the rapid development of Cambodia. Cambodia thanks China for its active assistance in promoting economic and social development and preserving national culture of Cambodia. Cambodia is ready to work with China to carry forward traditional friendship, maintain close cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and promote new progress in Cambodia-China comprehensive cooperative partnership.

Xiao Jie attended the above events.