Phnom penh: Cambodia and China signed an agreement on Thursday covering seven cooperation projects under the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) Special Fund 2026, valued at approximately US$1.98 million. The agreement was formalized in Phnom Penh by H.E. Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, and H.E. Wang Wenbin, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of China to Cambodia.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the seven approved projects are aimed at enhancing various sectors in Cambodia. These include the Mushroom Cooperative Enterprise for Poverty Alleviation in Kandal Province and the Combined Rural Economic Diversification and Shared Water for Shared Future Project-Phase II. Other initiatives include CAM-PACK+, which focuses on enhancing regional market access through packaging innovation, and the Hepatitis Elimination Program (HEP).
Moreover, the projects also emphasize community-based tourism digitalization, particularly preparing for Chinese tourists, and advancing green technology and digital transformation capacity for engineers in CMLV countries. Additionally, a project titled "From China to Cambodia" aims to advance water data capacity and regional dialogue under the LMC Framework.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation stated that these projects aim to align with Cambodia's national development priorities, addressing areas such as poverty alleviation, rural development, health, tourism, and digital transformation. Since 2017, Cambodia has benefited from funding support for 113 projects under the MLC Special Fund.
The successful agreement highlights the ongoing commitment of both Cambodia and China to foster a Community of Shared Future characterized by peace, prosperity, and sustainable development for all Mekong-Lancang countries.