On the afternoon of August 23, Beijing Capital International Airport welcomed a special guest: King Norton Sihamoni of Cambodia, accompanied by the 89-year-old Monet, he was the first foreign leader to arrive in China, becoming the first foreign leader to participate in the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japan and the World War of Anti-Fascism.
This isspecial arrangementsBeyond the scope of conventional diplomatic etiquette. According to the original plan, members of the Cambodia royal family were supposed to arrive on the day of the commemoration on September 3, but they11 days in advance.Came to Beijing.
Wang Wenbin, the Chinese ambassador to Cambodia, personally went to the airport to pick up the plane. Such a reception specification is rare in diplomatic occasions. Although the king and the queen mother are old, they still arrived in Beijing early, showing their deep friendship and friendship with ChinaSpecial attention。
King Sihamoni is a well-known "Chinese" who speaks fluent Chinese and has a deep affection for Chinese culture.
This visit is not only a diplomatic activity of the head of state, but also a few "home" meaning, the Cambodian royal family has alwaysined special friendly relations with China, the late Emperor Sihanouk has lived in China for years, and even regarded China as its second home.
The friendship between China and Cambodia began to grow in the 1950s, and during the Wuhan Conference in 1955, Sihanouk and Chinese Prime Minister Zhou Enlai met for the first time, and has since ended.deep friendship。
Xi'anuk has visited China dozens of times, and China has also sent several missions to Cambodia, which has become an important cornerstone of China-Cambodia relations, and now the visit of King Sihamoni and Mrs. Monet is precisely the continuation and strengthening of this special relationship.
In 1970, Sihanouk was ousted from power in the Lonno coup d'état in Cambodia. He went into exile directly in Beijing. China gave him asylum and helped him form a government-in-exile.
In those years, the Sihanouk family lived in Beijing for a long time, and China provided security and political support, allowing him to connect with supporters and eventually stand on the international level.
Besides historical feelings, China and Cambodia also haveA solid basis of real interestChina is Cambodia's largest source of investment and largest trading partner. In 2024, the bilateral trade volume will exceed US $15 billion and will continue to grow in 2025.
China has helped Cambodia to build large amounts of infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, hospitals, etc., which not only improved Cambodia’s infrastructure conditions, but also created a lot of jobs.
Cambodia is friendly to China in ASEAN and does not confront certain countries. China invests in large projects in Cambodia, such as the Sihanoukville Port Special Economic Zone, to help local employment. Cambodia also supports China's position on the South China Sea, truly realizingmutual benefit。
Mrs. Monile checked her body in Beijing every year, which began in the 1970s, and she had her fixed residence in Beijing, where she stayed less than in Cambodia.This time she attended parades, arrived ten days in advance and, by the way, had a health check, which was both practical and friendly.
In 2019, she was also awarded the Chinese Friendship Medal, a real honour for her contribution to China-Cambodia relations.This award is a high recognition for her years of promoting China-Cambodia friendly relations.
In addition to the king of Cambodia, there are other25 Foreign Heads of State and GovernmentHe will attend commemorative events, the most high-profile of which will be Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Chairman Kim Jong-un has confirmed the future presence of China in the event, which is a re-visit to China six years after 2019, and this is also the first time that Chairman Kim is on the multilateral diplomatic stage, rather than bilateral talks.
The degree of participation of European countries is surprising. Nearly 50 leaders, former dignitaries, high-level officials, diplomatic envoys to China and friendly people from 30 European countries confirmed that they would attend the Chinese commemorative activities.
This shows that despite geopolitical differences, European countries still attach importance to their relations with China and recognize China's historical contribution and world significance in World War II.
Cambodia's so proactive early arrival in Beijing is also linked to the recent regional situation, and on May 28, 2025, another conflict between the Cambodian and Thai border, surrounding a temple area, the soldiers of both sides confronted, and even firefighters, resulting in casualties.
The conflict lasted from the end of May to July. Thailand sent more tanks and Cambodia deployed rockets. Border people had to flee their homes. Cambodia's Foreign Minister even said at the United Nations that the ceasefire agreement may be torn at any time, and Thailand has a tougher attitude and directly refuses to solve the problem through international laws.
China, as an observer, mediated and offered a ceasefire advice and technical support, such as using satellite images to help draw the boundaries. On July 28, the two sides finally signed a ceasefire agreement, and China's role in it helped a lot. The Cambodian royal family is grateful for this affirmation, so coming to Beijing in advance is also a gesture of supporting China.
This conflict is not just a matter of the two Cambodians, but also of the two countries.Geopolitics of Southeast AsiaIn the shadow, Cambodia is getting closer to China and has earned a lot of dividends from the "Belt and Road".
Thailand, although the two sides are not guilty between the United States and China, but the military's tough attitude makes it a bit passive in diplomatic terms.In August, Yunnan's Foreign Minister's meeting, China tried to mediate the Taiwan contradiction, showing the influence of the great powers.
Sihamoni came to Beijing in advance, and it is estimated that he also wanted to take this opportunity to further close relations with China and put pressure on Thailand. This move is clever. As for whether it can turn the situation around on the border issue, it depends on how Thailand and Cambodia play next.
The game of chess in Southeast Asia is becoming more and more interesting! China is playing an increasingly important role in regional affairs through diplomatic and economic means.
This commemoration is not only a review of history, but also an importantMultilateral Diplomatic EventThe presence of 26 foreign heads of state and government, covering the world’s five continents, demonstrates the international community’s universal recognition of China’s historical contribution to the war and its worldwide significance.
In addition to the country’s leaders, there will also be a number of national councils, deputy prime ministers, high-level representatives, heads of international organizations and former officials who will attend the commemoration events, including South Korea’s congressman Wu Yongzhu, UN Deputy Secretary-General Li Yuan Hua, Japan’s former prime minister Zhang Xian Zhifu and others.
The Chinese government has also issued special invitations to international friends or representatives of their survivors who have made contributions to the Chinese people's War of Resistance against Japan. Fifty friends or representatives of their survivors from 14 countries including Russia, the United States, Britain, France and Canada will be invited to attend.
China is on the international stage.Influence and appealIncreasingly, it is possible to combine historical memories with modern diplomacy.
On the diplomatic commuter bus, the king of Cambodia's car drove towards downtown Beijing, but the airport was still busy. In the next few days, 25 national leaders including Putin and Kim Jong Un will be welcomed here.
The Cambodia royal family has demonstrated through its actions that no matter how the international situation changes, China-Cambodia friendship will move forward unswervingly. When some Western countries tried to isolate China, the Cambodia royal family expressed its support for China in the most unpretentious way.
This is the "difficulty and truth" in diplomacy, and is the best return for China's adherence to the diplomatic concept of peaceful development and mutual benefit and win-win.
Source: King and wife of Cambodia arrived at the airport yesterday.
2025-08-24 23:36 · See the news