In both the printed and digital English versions, the Khmer Times published an article by Uch Leang, President of the Cambodia Alumni from Vietnam Association (CAVA), and Acting Director of the Department of Asian, African, and Middle East Studies at the International Relations Institute of Cambodia (IRIC) under the Royal Academy of Cambodia (RAC), who commented that the Cambodia-Vietnam friendship is a bright symbol of the international solidarity and strong bonds between the neighbouring nations.
This relationship is built on a long-standing history, along with the solidarity in the struggles for national independence and freedom of the two countries, which is the foundation for the long-lasting friendship between the two nations, wrote the author.
Uch Leang noted that 46 years ago, on January 7, 1979, the patriotic forces under the guidance of the “The Kampuchea United Front for National Salvation” and now “The Solidarity Front for Development of Cambodian Motherland”, with the support of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers, liberated Phnom Penh, overthrowing the Pol Pot genocidal regime or the Democratic Kampuchea regime. The historic January 7 Victory promptly rescued more than 5 million Cambodian people from the brutal genocidal regime of the Pol Pot-led group, who killed more than 3 million innocent people during its 3 years, 8 months, and 20 days in power, from April 17, 1975 to January 6, 1979.
This historic event demonstrates the great international solidarity between the people and armies of Cambodia and Vietnam. This victory has gone deeply into the hearts of the Cambodian people, ended the darkest era, and opened a new era of independence, freedom, democracy, and social progress for Cambodia. The Cambodian people refer to January 7, 1979, as their second birthday.
“Without a victory on January 7, we wouldn’t have today. This is a historical fact that nobody can alter or destroy. The January 7, 1979, victory is a “Best history lesson learned in Cambodia” for the next generations to remember inheriting the tradition of solidarity and heroic spirit, and mutual assistance of the armies and people of Cambodia and Vietnam in the cause of defending the territory,” the author underlined.
The article also quoted Sok Eysan, Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) spokesman, under the Pot Pot genocidal regime, the Cambodian people fell into unprecedented misery in the world. Amid that tragic time, Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and those from the Kampuchea United Front for National Salvation, became a force with overwhelming power to overwhelm the Pol Pot army, quickly and promptly launching attacks to liberate the Cambodian people and nation from the genocidal regime.
Highlighting the ties between the two countries, Uch Leang emphasised that Cambodia and Vietnam have stood side by side, together overcoming their difficulties, especially in the fight against the Pol Pot regime on January 7, 1979, of the Cambodian people and the liberation of the South and national reunification on April 30, 1975, of the Vietnamese people. The mutual help between the two neighbours has contributed positively to the reconstruction of Cambodia and Vietnam and built the foundation for their long-term friendship, according to the author.
The RAC researcher stated that today, the Cambodia-Vietnam friendship continues to be strengthened in many sectors, from politics, and economiy to culture and education. The two countries pledged to organise colourful cultural exchanges, trade cooperation, investment, and infrastructure development to improve people’s lives and promote sustainable development. Through the expansion of trade, investment, and services, Vietnamese enterprises have continuously contributed to Cambodia's socio-economic development and creating jobs for its people. Cambodia and Vietnam are committed to strengthening their good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainability, and increasing mutual trust, bringing practical benefits to their people, he stated.
On January 5, the DAP News website published a piece highlighting meaningful messages about the Vietnam-Cambodia friendship.
In the article, DAP News underscored that in the context of complex global and regional situations, the spirit of traditional solidarity and friendship on January 7, 1979, marked by mutual support between Cambodia and Vietnam, will continue to develop their relationship to new heights. Together, they will build a future against narrow nationalism and activities that distort, slander, and divide the relationship between the two countries, in order to create a pure, stable, and sustainable relationship rooted in traditional solidarity and friendship for the benefits of the people of both countries, as well as for the peace and prosperity in the region and the world at large, concluded the article.
