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Phnom Penh and Beijing are in talks to become “sister cities”,
chief of the Chinese Embassy’s political section Wang De Xin confirmed
yesterday.
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According to Wang, representatives from the Beijing Committee of the
Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, led by committee
chairman Ji Lin, met with Phnom Penh Governor Pa Socheatvong on Monday
to discuss the partnership.
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Reached by phone yesterday, the capital’s deputy governor, Khoung
Sreng, said the objective of the meeting was for both countries to
better understand each other.
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“The main purpose of being sister cities with Beijing would be to
support each other . . . to cooperate economically and to promote
cultural exchange,” he said.
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He added that one of the most important aspects of the partnership
would be requesting Beijing’s assistance in areas such as
infrastructure, training and the management and restoration of public
spaces.
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Sreng noted that the focus of the partnership was not to attract
foreign investment, but to work with Beijing in selecting local poor
communities for targeted help, such as the building of homes.
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Source - PhnomPenhPost