Cambodia supports China's Belt and Road initiatives

PHNOM PENH -- Cambodia supports China's initiatives of the Silk Road and Economic Belt, the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) which will contribute to greater regional connectivity, Prince Norodom Sirivudh, chairman of the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace, has said.

In a interview with Xinhua ahead of the Boao Forum for Asia which opened Thursday in China's Hainan province, Sirivudh said, " The ideas show that China is quite open to the world, and that China is ready to play a role in contributing to peace and stability in the region."

The three initiatives proposed by China are expected to top the agenda of the forum which will wind up on Sunday.

Sirivudh, who will share his views in the forum's session on " ASEAN Community: A Major Milestone for Asian Integration" on Saturday, said Cambodia is very supportive of the establishment of the AIIB and the Silk Road Fund.

"We hope that other friendly countries will follow the suit of France, Germany, Italy and other European countries to join the AIIB," Sirivudh said.

The prince said Cambodia will benefit from AIIB and the Silk Road Fund because they will promote regional connectivity.

Some analysts have termed the Boao Forum for Asia as Asia's version of the World Economic Forum which is held annually in Davos, Switzerland.

Lauding the Boao Forum for Asia, Sirivudh said leaders of governments, politicians, economists, businessmen, academics have all agreed that the forum is a very effective venue where important issues could be raised and discussed.

"This year's Boao Forum becomes one of the most important events among other forums in the world," Sirivudh said.

The Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2015 is themed with " Asia's New Future: Toward a Community of Common Destiny".

"It's a great honor to hear that Chinese President Xi Jinping will deliver a keynote address on March 28," Sirivudh said.

In a separate interview with Xinhua, Kem Gunawadh, director- general of the state-run National Television of Cambodia (TVK), also hailed China for organizing the forum, saying it is a very important venue since it will bring together leaders in governments, businesses and academia in Asia and other continents to share visions on topics related to economy, regional connectivity development, politics and security, telecommunications, information, and culture.

Gunawadh said during the forum, China is expected to win support for its initiatives which are essential to strengthen Asian economies and regional integration.

Gunawadh said he would attend a media leaders' roundtable at the Boao Forum on Friday.

"Media has played a very important role to promote the Silk Road Economic Belt and the Maritime Silk Road to the peoples in the region."

He said it is media's role to apprise the people in the region of the economic benefits that the ambitious projects would bring to them.

"Aside from the economic benefits, the twin projects would also promote closer relations among countries and their respective peoples," Gunawadh added.