Cambodia, China sign MoUs on environmental protection, biodiversity conservation

PHNOM PENH - Cambodia and China have signed three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on environmental protection and biodiversity conservation.

The MoU included the establishment of the Cambodia-China Environmental Cooperation Center Preparatory Office, the donation of wastewater treatment equipment, and the pilot cooperation on biodiversity and ecosystem conservation.

Speaking after the signing ceremony on Wednesday, Chinese Vice-Minister of Ecology and Environment Zhao Yingmin said China has been attaching high importance to environment protection and ecosystem conservation, saying that the MoUs opened a new chapter for bilateral cooperation in these fields.

"This is a new and good starting point for our bilateral cooperation in environment and ecology," he said. "I believe that through our concerted efforts, the cooperation in environment and ecology between China and Cambodia will be further strengthened and expanded."

Cambodian Environment Minister Say Samal said the MoUs would provide a greater opportunity to Cambodia to protect its environment and ecology.

"I hope that we will get more fruits from this cooperation," he said.

Later, Zhao and Samal jointly unveiled the Cambodia-China Environmental Cooperation Center Preparatory Office, which is situated in the Ministry of Environment.

In March, Cambodia also inaugurated the first water quality monitoring station under China's aid near the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers in Phnom Penh.