China’s FM Wang offers aid and friendship on Cambodia visit

By SOPHENG CHEANG
Associated Press

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen says China has agreed to provide the Southeast Asian nation with grant aid of 1.75 billion yuan ($272 million). He announced the assistance Sunday during a visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Wang met Hun Sen and other officials for bilateral talks on combating COVID-19, trade and investment, education, and security issues. China is Cambodia’s biggest investor and closest political partner, whose assistance largely underpins the Southeast Asian nation’s economy. Hun Sen praised China for funding construction of a new stadium, helping build roads and bridges and providing COVID-19 vaccines.