Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen has requested China’s cooperation with regards to human resource development through a collaboration between the Royal Academy of Cambodia and the ministries of Education, Youth and Sport, and Labour and Vocational Training in an attempt to boost the sector.
The request came during a meeting with the vice-chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and former Chinese Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Wan Gang.
“The friendly and collaborative relations between our two countries are as strong as steel. We will continue to support and assist each other as brothers”, Hun Sen stressed on his Facebook page.
The prime minister emphasised Cambodia’s determination to adapt to the ongoing Industrial Revolution 4.0 in order to remain competitive on a global level. He also reiterated the need for proper training in leadership and high-tech skills on a larger scale.
The online post said Wan’s visit to Cambodia was aimed at strengthening collaboration between the two countries, especially in the fields of science and technology. Human resources, research and development are essential in the age of IR4.0.
Hun Sen quoted Wan as saying he was pleased to see the progress Cambodia has made through the political stability and robust economic growth under the prime minister’s leadership. He also made mention that Hun Sen is a respected leader in the eyes of the government and the Chinese people; and that Cambodia is a brother and a comprehensive strategic partner of China.
“Our Chinese friend thanked Cambodia for helping establish healthy ties between China and Asean, and for its support of a peaceful solution to the issue of the South China Sea”, said the social media post.
Government spokesman Phay Siphan told The Phnom Penh Post that the meeting between Hun Sen and Wan went well. Both sides discussed and expressed mutual understanding, despite rising Sino-US tensions on the global stage.
“On Cambodia’s part, there’s nothing more to it than to ask all relevant parties to seek resolutions that will benefit the world”, Siphan said.
Kin Phea, the director-general of the International Relations Institute at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, told the Phnom Penh Post that the Royal Academy of Cambodia is developing human resources but it needs further collaboration from China to fund research. He also added that Bilateral diplomatic visits and experiences such as these can also be considered human resource development.
“We need to have joint research as well. That’s specifically one of the points where the Royal Academy of Cambodia comes in. Hun Sen requesting China to help develop human resources is extremely important. We can’t just wait and sleep and have assistance come in from various countries without first developing national human resources”, Phea stressed.
Phea also states that a country grows based on its human resources. A well-developed human resources sector will reflect In Cambodia’s ability to rapidly develop its economy in this new economic age.
