PHNOM PENH — Cambodia and China celebrated the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with a gala dinner in Phnom Penh on July 2.

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Xiong Bo presided over the event, which was attended by government officials, lawmakers, businessmen and other dignitaries.

The event started with a video clip featuring the frequent exchanges of visits by top leaders of the two countries over the past six decades, and followed by speeches and a dinner entertained by arts performance.

Hun Sen recalled that Cambodia and China established the official diplomatic relations on July 19, 1958, and the bilateral ties had been constantly developed and elevated to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Cooperation in 2010.

“Over the past 60 years, leaders of the two countries have always made efforts to maintain the friendship, and overcome many obstacles in order to lead the countries and the citizens toward progress, prosperity, and harmony,” the prime minister said.

“Cambodia is highly committed to enhancing the scope of our relations under Cambodia-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Cooperation to the new height for the benefit of our peoples,” he said.

He thanked the government and people of China for always providing financial and technical supports to Cambodia for the development of human resources and infrastructure, saying that these supports were vital to contribute to the Cambodian socio-economic development.

Hun Sen said the development of China has not only promoted the livelihood of the Chinese citizens, but also contributed to the socio-economic development of Cambodia and other countries in the region and in the world.

He praised the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, saying that it would strengthen partnership and promote the “win-win” development among countries through connectivity cooperation of physical infrastructure, institution and people, businesses, finance, culture and other key sectors.

Xiong said China-Cambodia friendship relied on the strong strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries.

“The high degree of political mutual trust and strategic consensus that have been tested by international vicissitudes between our two leaders prove to be the most important political guarantee for the development of bilateral relations,” he said.

He said the relations between the two countries served as a fine example of treating each other with mutual respect and equality among nations.

“The deepening of China-Cambodia cooperation will not only bring more benefits to our people of the two countries, but also make greater contribution to regional and global peace, stability and prosperity,” Xiong said.

The ambassador said the Belt and Road Initiative and Cambodia’s Rectangular Strategy complemented and reinforced each other, which not only helped Cambodia accelerate the transformation and upgrading of economy, but also provided a broad space for Chinese companies to enhance international cooperation and development.