China, Cambodia reach six-point consensus

China and Cambodia reached a six-point consensus at the first meeting of their "2+2" strategic dialogue mechanism between foreign and defense ministers, held on Wednesday, with the two sides pledging stronger alignment on core interests, development cooperation, security, law enforcement, defense ties and coordination in regional and international affairs.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi told reporters on Thursday that the two sides had agreed to continue firmly supporting each other on matters touching on core interests. He said Beijing welcomed Cambodia's reaffirmation of its commitment to the one-China principle, its support for China's reunification and its backing for the China's major global initiatives.

Wang said the two countries also agreed to expand practical cooperation with a focus on strengthening Cambodia's capacity for self-driven development. That effort will center on advancing the Industrial Development Corridor and the Fish and Rice Corridor, while pressing ahead with the Funan Techo Integrated Water Resources Management Project as a strategic priority.

Beijing and Phnom Penh will tighten political and security cooperation to safeguard their respective regime security and system security, resist external infiltration and guard against "color revolutions".

The two sides also committed to stronger law-enforcement coordination, pledging an uncompromising crackdown on online gambling and telecom fraud to better protect lives and property and to create more favorable conditions for bilateral cooperation.

On defense, both countries agreed to deepen cooperation in ways that would help Cambodia strengthen its defense capabilities and better protect its sovereignty, security and development interests.

China and Cambodia would also step up coordination in regional and international affairs, oppose power politics and bullying, defend global free trade and support the United Nations in playing its proper role.