China has issued a staunch rebuttal to what it calls \"groundless smears\" targeting its partnership with Cambodia, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun vowing to hold rumor-mongers legally accountable. The remarks come amid online claims questioning the stability of bilateral cooperation projects and alleging geopolitical alignment shifts by Cambodian leaders.
At a Thursday press briefing, Guo emphasized the \"time-tested friendship\" between the two nations, citing a fourfold increase in bilateral trade over the past decade. China remains Cambodia's largest trading partner and foreign investor, with collaboration spanning infrastructure, agriculture, and industrial development through initiatives like the Industrial Development Corridor and 'Fish and Rice Corridor.'
\"Our ironclad friendship was forged through mutual support during challenging times,\" Guo stated, referencing high-level political consensus between the two governments. The spokesperson highlighted recent progress under the 'Diamond Hexagon' cooperation framework, which aims to advance manufacturing and food security projects while boosting both nations' modernization efforts.
Analysts suggest the strong response reflects China's broader strategy to counter perceptions of waning influence in Southeast Asia. Cambodia has consistently supported Beijing's positions on sensitive international issues, while China has invested over $5 billion in the country's infrastructure since 2013 according to Council on Foreign Relations data.
The Foreign Ministry's statement concluded with a warning: \"Any attempts to undermine this partnership will face legal consequences.\" The remarks underscore Beijing's commitment to preserving its strategic relationships amid growing geopolitical competition in the ASEAN region.
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Chinese Foreign Ministry slams attempts to smear China-Cambodia ties
cgtn.com
