Cambodia - Vietnam flame still burns 35 years on

On this day 35 years ago, we defeated Khmer Rouge invaders to protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity, whilst helping to save the Cambodian people from the worst genocide in human's history. This is a victory of justice, which fostered solidarity and loyalty between the two peoples, opening a new chapter of bilateral relations.

After years of war, hardship and sacrifice, the Spring 1975 Victory culminated in the complete liberation of South Vietnam and national reunification. After war, the peoples of Vietnam and Cambodia desperately wished to live in peace and to begin the process of country's recovery and development but the Khmer Rouge regime led by Pol Pot betrayed the Cambodian people. In just three years, eight months and twenty days, the Khmer Rouge regime killed nearly three million Cambodian civilians, destroyed all social facilities and pushed the Cambodian nation to the brink of perdition. The murderous regime disregarded the traditional solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Cambodia, and invaded the southwest border of Vietnam with justifications taken from a history they had distorted. The Khmer Rouge regime brutally killed innocent people of Vietnam, and seriously violated independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In response to the invasion and brutal genocide reaped by Pol Pot's regime and to appeals for help from the Khmer United Front for National Salvation, the Party, State, people and armed forces of Vietnam exercised their legitimate self-defence rights to smash the invaders, and together with the people and armed forces of Cambodia with support from friends around the world, we defeated the Khmer Rouge regime on January 7, 1979. We then stood side by side with the Cambodian people in the country's revival and reconstruction. In the extremely hard and fierce fight, many Vietnamese and Cambodian soldiers bravely fought and fell down for victory. Their blood was spilt so that life could blossom again.

On this momentous day of remembrance for the two peoples, we express deep gratitude for the heroic martyrs of Vietnam and Cambodia who bravely fought and were sacrificed for the independence and freedom of each country, for the future, for friendship and solidarity between Vietnam and Cambodia, and for peace, stability and development in Southeast Asia and the world.

Historically the solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Cambodia has been no easy journey with many ups and downs. Now though, the bonds are strong. We are proud to see that the two countries' relationship under the motto of 'good neighbours, traditional friendship, comprehensive co-operation and long-term sustainability' has been painstakingly nurtured by generations of two countries' leaders and peoples.

The high-ranking visits between the two countries recently have contributed to fostering and deepening the traditional friendship and comprehensive co-operation between the two sides.

The two sides' co-operation in trade, commerce and investment has attained considerable results with the two-way trade turnover reaching US$3.3 billion in 2012 and roughly US$3 billion in 2013. Vietnam has invested 126 projects in Cambodia with a total registered capital of over US$3 billion.

The co-operation between ministries, industries and localities is fruitful particularly between border and twinned provinces and cities. The work of demarcation between the two countries has also seen progress. Vietnam and Cambodia have boosted co-operation in regional and international co-operation frameworks such as ASEAN, Mekong River Commission (MRC), Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), East-West Economic Corridor (WEC), the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Co-operation Strategy (ACMECS), the Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia Development Triangle as well as others.

From a 'dead domain' 35 years ago Cambodia has come a long way with national reconstruction and development; integrating into the regional and international community as an emerging economy. Such achievements have not only brought happiness to the peoples of the two countries but have also helped to secure peace, stability, co-operation and prosperity in the region and the world. We believe that under the wise reign of King Norodom Sihamoni and the sound leadership of the Senate, National Assembly and royal Government with the key role played by the Cambodian People's Party (CPP), the Cambodian people will continue to see greater achievements in the process of national construction and development.

We promise to keep bright the flame of solidarity between the two peoples of the two countries. We will continue to nurture and deepen the relationship under the motto of 'good neighbours, traditional friendship, comprehensive co-operation and long-term sustainability' for the happiness and prosperity of the two peoples, contributing to strengthening peace, stability, security and co-operation in the region and the world.

(Source: Nhandan Newspaper Online)