Government
International relations
Mekong River Commission meets on Lao dam
The Mekong River Commission held its second stakeholder meeting on Laos’s controversial proposed Pak Beng dam on Friday, giving involved parties the opportunity to hear responses to concerns raised at the first meeting in February. ...
Andrew Nachemson
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/mekong-river-commission-meets-lao-dam
Government denounces US,EU criticism of Adhoc 5 detention
The government has lashed out at the U.S. and E.U. over their criticism of the detention of five current and former rights workers in Cambodia for more than a year, adopting the language of its critics by calling their statements “politically motivated.” ...
Matt Surrusco
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/govt-denounces-us-eu-criticism-of-adhoc-5-detention-129201/
WEF forum to bring new investment
With the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Asean less than a week away, government officials yesterday said that the theme of the three-day event would focus on “Youth, Technology and Growth”, while providing an opportunity to raise Cambodia’s international profile and attract more investors and ...
Hor Kimsay
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/wef-forum-bring-new-investment
Cambodia says Laos lacks documents on transboundary impacts of proposed Pak Beng dam
So Sophort, deputy secretary-general of the Cambodia National Mekong Committee, said Cambodia would attend the meeting of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) in Vientiane, which is part of a six month prior consultation process for the 921-megawatt dam. ...
N. Korean ambassador says Cambodia could play productive role in mediating dispute: report
In an interview with local English-language newspaper The Khmer Times, Ambassador Jang Yun Gon said he was confident that Cambodia “really understands” the situation “and would express solidarity through Asean towards our just cause to help find a solution diplomatically to maintain stability and peace ...
Foreign Minister on US mission
Foreign Minister Park Sokhornn will be at the White House on Thursday for the first meeting between Asean foreign ministers and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson since the new administration of President Donald Trump took office in January. ...
Ros Chanveasna
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/37938/foreign-minister-on-us-mission/
PM calls on US to revise law
Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday defended himself from critics who claim the massive flow of workers leaving the country is indicative of a lack of development at home, and sought to clarify any misunderstanding on Cambodia’s recent request to amend a repatriation agreement with the ...
Touch Sokha
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/pm-calls-us-revise-law
Cambodia-Vietnam expressway
Cambodia and Vietnam are pushing forward with plan to develop an expressway between Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City, according to the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation. ...
Chea Vannak
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/37805/cambodia-vietnam-expressway/
PM backs maritime feud restraint
Vietnam and Cambodia have reaffirmed their desire to see a peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea. The three-day official visit of Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc ended yesterday with the two sides stressing the importance of maintaining peace, stability and security ...
Ven Rathavong
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/37830/pm-backs-maritime-feud-restraint/
US crime repatriations on hold
Cambodian heritage criminals convicted in the US will no longer be deported to the kingdom pending the revision of the repatriation agreement between the two countries, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said today. ...
Khuon Narim
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/37779/us-crime-repatriations-on-hold/
Productive outcome to bilateral talks
Cambodia and Vietnam yesterday agreed in principle to work together in a range of commercial activities following two-hour talks at Peace Palace between Prime Minister Hun Sen and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phu. ...
Ven Rathavong
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/37775/productive-outcome-to-bilateral-talks/
Bridge strengthens bilateral trade ties
The bridge connecting Chrey Thom district in Kandal province to Long Binh in Vietnam’s An Giang province was officially launched yesterday by Prime Minister Hun Sen and his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc. ...
Sum Manet
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/37717/bridge-strengthens-bilateral-trade-ties/
400 troops head off on peace mission to South Sudan
Cambodia is sending 429 peacekeepers to participate in the United Nations’ joint activities in Mali and South Sudan today as 309 officers in the region are due to return on Friday. ...
Mom Sophon
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/37730/400-troops-head-off-on-peace-mission-to-south-sudan/
Nuclear aid from Moscow takes shape
Russia has announced a wide range of measures to help establish an information center in Phnom Penh as part of Cambodia’s development of nuclear energy. ...
Ros Chanveasna
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/37692/nuclear-aid-from-moscow-takes-shape/
Cambodia taps Japanese blockchain tech for payment system
The National Bank of Cambodia will develop a blockchain-based payment system with help from a Japanese financial technology startup to offer people a secure, low-cost way of sending and receiving money. ...
Vietnamese PM to visit Cambodia next week
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc will pay an official visit to Cambodia from April 24 to 26, said a Cambodian foreign ministry statement on Thursday. ...
Xu Xin
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-04/20/c_136224166.htm
India pumps in aid for cleaner water
The Indian government has honored its pledge to ensure rural people across four Cambodian provinces get desperately needed access to clean water. Yesterday marked the long-awaited arrival of 1,500 hand pumps which will be distributed to Tbong Khmum (1,250), Kampong Chhnang and Banteay Meanchey (100 ...
Ven Rathavong
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/37650/india-pumps-in-aid-for-cleaner-water/
Cambodian opposition expected to play on anti-vietnamese sentiment ahead of elections
Cambodia’s long-standing fear of Vietnam can sometimes appear to be borderline irrational and allegations of land grabbing, war-mongering, even contaminated food exports — alongside abusive insults — are often leveled at the eastern neighbors. That will only intensify as the commune elections get closer this ...
Troubled road project along Cambodia-Laos border rolls on
Work by military engineers on a contentious road skirting Cambodia’s border with Laos – which has prompted a military stand-off in the area – has quietly resumed, local officials say, even as run-ins between Cambodian and Lao military patrols in the disputed area have further ...
Shaun Turton and Mech Dara
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/troubled-road-project-along-cambodia-laos-border-rolls
Government sounds off on critics in report, claiming detractors twist facts
The Foreign Affairs Ministry yesterday issued a scathing and wide-ranging rebuttal to longstanding accusations of human rights violations and political persecution, calling these allegations a campaign of misinformation led by foreign governments and institutions, particularly the United States, bent on regime change. ...
Ananth Baliga and Chhay Channyda
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/government-sounds-critics-report-claiming-detractors-twist-facts
Hun Sen endorses ‘One China’
Prime Minister Hun Sen has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to supporting Beijing’s One China policy during a meeting with a Chinese official, a stance one expert called “obsequious”. ...
Yesenia Amaro
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/hun-sen-endorses-one-china
World MPs see rights crisis in Kingdom
Two separate groups of international parliamentarians this week raised concerns over the state of democracy in Cambodia, seeing threats to pluralism and human rights in harassment of opposition politicians, trade unions and civil society activists. ...
Cristina Maza and Meas Sokchea
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/world-mps-see-rights-crisis-kingdom
Tension flares up again on Cambodia’s border with Laos
Dozens of Laotian soldiers started building a post on a disputed tract of land along the border on Thursday, breaking a deal made just a day earlier between Laos and Cambodia to withdraw forces until after the Khmer New Year. ...
Sek Odom
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/tension-flares-up-again-on-cambodias-border-with-laos-127704/
Acknowledging U.S. role in bombing, ambassador prioritizes demining efforts
William A. Heidt, U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia, says he is “very aware” of the historical role the United States played in the conflict in Cambodia, which is why he is seeking to prioritize the clearance of unexploded ordinance left behind by years of bombing. ...