Excerpts of Off-the-Cuff Speech at the Graduation and Diploma Presenting Ceremony of the Asia-Europe University [Unofficial Translation]

Speech

[…] The US-ASEAN summit scheduled to take place on March 14. However, in light of Covid-19 outbreak, President Donald Trump is required to postpone […] I supported his decision […] the President as well as we, leaders in ASEAN, are focusing efforts to keep the disease situation under control […]

[…] I have come to a point that in the time to come I will hold those who spread fake news – for instance that someone fell dead because of Covid-19, responsible as terrorists […] (One may ask that) those rogues (have done so) what would they get in return from spreading fake news […] but causing fear for people and their own families […]

[…] the National Council for Women appealed to women not to wear shorts […] I have said that those who do business online should not go live in inappropriate dressings […] some said we violated human rights […] have they looked up laws regarding human trafficking and protection of custom and tradition? […]

Samdech Techo Hun Sen, Diploma Presenting Ceremony of the Asia-Europe University, 2 March 2020

Selected Off-the-Cuff Comments at the Closing of the Annual Review Conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and the Official Announcement that Cambodia Will Host the 13th ASEM Summit in 2020 [Unofficial Translation]

Speech

• […] I do not intend to use this forum to criticize Europe. I wanted countries in ASEAN, Cambodia is one of them, to learn lesson from principles of consensus and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs. It was the principle of consensus that unites ASEAN, though it was sometimes difficult to get to a decision. However, it keeps ASEAN away from division since they do not seek to resolve problems through voting […]

• […] ASEAN also has its own initiative on Indo-Pacific concept. We are seeking to synthesize regional initiatives, the belt and road also included […] under the former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, India raised its “Look East” view. Now, the government of Prime Minister Norendra Modi talked about its “Act East” policy. We must reach out to this decision. South Korea initiated its Look South policy too. We must in this case synthesize those initiatives in the interest of ASEAN and serve as the center of solidarity between and among states […]

• In the region, there are countries that create Ministry of Science and Technology. I decided to readjust focus of the Ministry of Industry and Handicraft to become the Ministry of Industry, Technology and Innovation. The Minister, HE Cham Prasidh, will lead this work, and seek to amend related laws and by laws at the National Assembly, while redrafting a sub-decree of law on organization and functioning of the Ministry. It will create units that conducts scientific and technological studies and researches […] to cope up with the industry 4.0 era […]

• […] I continue to stand firm on my position to allow no one to lead our nose around and we will not trade national sovereignty with favor or assistance of any form. (That would be lack of value and cheap) should we not be able to implement our laws and act according to what is required by others. Would we be still a country of independence and sovereignty? In the past, we could survive under economic embargo around us, though we had relations only with the former Soviet Union and Eastern European countries’ bloc or CMEA, plus supports from Vietnam, Laos, and India. At present, we have many trade and business partners […]

Samdech Techo Hun Sen,
Closing Annual Meeting of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and International Cooperation, 31 January 2020.

Opening of the Veterans Confederation of ASEAN Countries (VECONAC) 19th General Assembly [Unofficial Translation]

Speech

Samdech, Excellencies, Ladies, Gentlemen, Distinguished National and International Guests, Members of VECONAC General Assembly! Today, I am delighted to be here with you all to open “the VECONAC 19th General Assembly” on this auspicious occasion. I would like to welcome and thank Excellencies, Lok Chumteavs, president and vice president of the VECONAC as well as…

Remarks at the 12th China-ASEAN Prosecutor- General Conference under the theme “Role of Prosecutor in Combating Human Trafficking in the Region”

Speech

Samdech, Excellencies, Excellencies, General Prosecutors, State Prosecutor of ASEAN association countries and People Republic of China, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished National-International Guests! Today, I am delighted to participate the opening of “China-ASEAN Prosecutor- General Conference” under the topic of “Role of Prosecutor in combating human trafficking in the region” that is celebrated in this…

Excerpts from Exclusive Interview Given to China-Cambodia Friendship Radio, China Central Television, and Xinhua News Agency on the 70th Founding Anniversary of the People’s Republic of China [Unofficial Translation]

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Question 1: […] this year is the 70th founding anniversary of the People’s Republic of China, what are your personal impressions on achievements scored by China in its 70 years’ development? […] First of all, Cambodia is so happy and congratulating China’s 70th founding anniversary of the People’s Republic. In fact, at the time that…

Speech and Selected Impromptu Comments at the Opening Session of the Third Ministerial Conference on Labor Cooperation among Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam (CLMTV): “Towards Protection of Migrant Workers in CLMTV Countries – Cooperation in Social Securities”

Speech

In addition to the prepared texts, Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen made impromptu comments with unofficial selections and translations as followed: Samdech, Excellencies Deputy Prime Ministers, Senior Ministers, Ministers; Excellencies Labor Ministers of Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam; Excellencies Ambassadors, Distinguished National-International Guests; Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, and All participants! Today, I have…

Selected Joint Press Briefing by Samdech Techo Hun Sen and Prime Minister of LPDR HE Thongloun Sisoulith [Unofficial Translation]

Speech

Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen [1]: HE Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith His Excellency, Ladies, Gentlemen, Reporters Elevating Trusted Strategic Comprehensive Partnerships Today is an historic development in the relations between the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) and the Kingdom of Cambodia. What we have done on this day, I should emphasize, is that…