Phnom penh: On the afternoon of August 14, the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP) hosted the launch of the 'Building a Cambodia-China Community with a Shared Future in the New Era: A 2025 Survey on Cambodian Youth's Perception of People-to-People Exchange' report. The event was a collaborative effort by the Cambodia 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Research Center (CMSRRC) at RUPP, the Cambodia Research Centre (CCS) of Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU), supported by the Charhar Institute and the Cambodia-China Exchange and Cooperation Centre (CENCC).
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the event brought together government representatives, scholars, experts from various universities and research institutions, and youth and student delegates from Cambodia and China. Oum Ravy, Vice President of RUPP, highlighted the strong ties between Cambodia and China, emphasizing the role of people-to-people exchanges in fostering mutual respect and development. She expressed optimism that the survey would help understand the needs of young people and encourage their active participation in strengthening Cambodia-China cooperation.
Chen Cong, Minister-Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Cambodia, noted the commitment made during President Xi Jinping's visit to Cambodia in April 2025 to enhance the building of a China-Cambodia community with a shared future. He emphasized the longstanding cultural exchanges between the two nations and the Chinese Embassy's ongoing support for youth exchange programs, including scholarships and study opportunities.
Gu Jiayun, Director of the Center for Cambodian Studies at BFSU, reiterated the significance of youth in maintaining bilateral relations. He acknowledged RUPP's longstanding partnership with BFSU and called for expanding youth exchange initiatives to align with social development goals and strengthen research and intellectual cooperation.
The survey report, presented by Neak Chandarith and HUANG Meiyun, revealed key findings from 2,380 Generation Z respondents across education, tourism, culture, film, and youth exchanges. This comprehensive assessment provides crucial insights into Cambodian youth's perspectives on Cambodia-China relations.
During the 'Youth Policy Roundtable,' panelists discussed ways to implement the survey findings into practical strategies for enhancing Cambodia-China youth exchanges. The consensus was that the report and subsequent dialogue offer valuable insights into young Cambodians' perceptions and will contribute to advancing the shared future of both nations.
By Freya Song, Special Correspondent for Agence Kampuchea Presse (AKP)