Question to King Sihamoni and King-Father Sihanouk from Koun Khmer Kratie

Last week, former King Norodom Sihanouk declared that he would continue to support PM Hun Sen 100%.

This week, the people have proof that Vietnam had encroached border posts into our territory, I personally would be interested to know what do His Majesty King Sihamony and former King Norodom Sihanouk have to say about this.

Regards,

Koun Khmer Kratie

China's top legislator highlights sound ties with Cambodia during meeting with King [-Wu Bangguo get to meet the king more often than regular Cambodians?]

PHNOM PENH, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- Top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo said here Thursday that his three meetings with the Cambodian King this year reflect the sound bilateral ties between the two countries.

"I have met your majesty three times this year, which reflects the high level of bilateral ties and the royal family's special friendship with China," Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, said during a meeting with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni.

Wu said the Cambodian royal family has long attached high importance to the development of its ties with China and established sound personal relationship, as well as sound working relationship, with Chinese leaders of generations, making outstanding contributions to the development of bilateral ties.

As a good neighbor, friend and partner, China will, as always, support Cambodia's efforts in maintaining national unity, developing economy and improving people's lives, Wu said.

China respects the path Cambodia has chosen based on its realities and thanks Cambodia for its precious support for the issues related to China's core interests, Wu said.

"The purpose of my visit to the country is to enhance traditional friendship, deepen practical cooperation and upgrade legislative communications in a bid to push the all-round cooperative partnership for further development," Wu said.

Recalling his visit to the Shanghai World Expo on Oct. 1, King Norodom Sihamoni extended his warm congratulations to the great success of the Expo.

He said Wu's visit plays a significant role in enhancing and developing China-Cambodia friendship and cooperation.

Cambodia attaches high importance to its ties with China and is willing to further promote bilateral ties, the King said.

Wu arrived here on Wednesday for a 4-day official visit to the Southeast Asian country. Wu's arrival is the first of its kind in nearly 10 years for a Chinese top legislator to visit the country. He will also visit Indonesia and Thailand.

On the king's 6th crowning anniversary, where are well wishes from ordinary Khmer citizens? Why only CPP officials are buttering up the king?

Click on the well wishing messages to zoom in

Happy crowning anniversary,
Your Majesty!
May you hear, talk and see NO Evil
in your kingdom forever!


Sincerely,
Your Kaun-Chao

(Photo: NorodomSihamoni.org)

China's top legislator meets Cambodian King

Wu Bangguo (R), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, meets with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni in Shanghai, east China Oct. 2, 2010. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

SHANGHAI, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) - China and Cambodia pledged to further cooperation and bilateral ties as top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo met with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni in Shanghai Saturday.

"China attaches importance to relations with Cambodia and hopes to deepen and advance the mutually beneficial cooperation to lift bilateral ties," Wu told Sihamoni.

Wu, chairman of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said China cherished the special friendship with the Cambodian Royal Family.

The friendship nurtured by Chinese leaders and former Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk had weathered the changing international landscape, said Wu.

Bilateral relations had seen frequent high-level visits, increased political mutual trust, and mutually beneficial trade cooperation and support on international and regional issues, said Wu.

Wu also thanked the king for his support to the Shanghai World Expo and presence at the celebrations of China's National Pavilion Day at the Shanghai World Expo Friday.

Sihamoni said the progress in bilateral relations was in the line with the two peoples' aspirations and the Cambodian Royal Family was committed to boosting bilateral cooperation.

Hello Shanghai!

Cambodian King Leaves for China's World Expo

2010-09-27
Xinhua

Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni left Phnom Penh on Monday for China to attend the celebration of China's National Pavilion Day at Shanghai World Expo 2010 at the invitation of China.

China's National Pavilion Day at Shanghai World Expo will be celebrated on Oct. 1, the Chinese National Day.

Meanwhile, King Sihamoni will also visit other countries' national pavilions during his stay in China, including his country 's pavilion, according to the officials of Chinese Embassy in Cambodia.

Seeing the King off at the Phnom Penh International Airport were Cambodian Senate President Chea Sim, National Assembly President Heng Samrim, Prime Minister Hun Sen and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Pan Guangxue, as well as other members of Royal family.

Floral Baskets from Cambodian [not so Great?] King and Great King [to North Korea]

Top: "Great King" Sihanouk with North Korea's "Great Leader" Kim Il Sung
Bottom: "Great Leader" Kim Il Sung next to "Dear Leader" Kim Jong Il
(Photos: norodomsihanouk.info)

Pyongyang, September 9 (KCNA) -- Norodom Sihamoni, king of Cambodia, and Norodom Sihanouk, great king of Cambodia, sent large floral baskets to the DPRK embassy in Phnom Penh on the occasion of the 62nd birthday of the DPRK.

Upon the authorization of the king and the great king, the Royal Palace Ministry delegation of Cambodia led by the senior minister in charge of the Royal Palace visited the DPRK embassy on September 3 to lay the baskets before the portraits of President Kim Il Sung and General Secretary Kim Jong Il.

The senior minister said that all the Cambodians wish the people of the DPRK great successes in building a great prosperous and powerful nation under the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il and expressed expectation that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries would continue to develop in the future.

Sacrava's Political Cartoon: Cheychetha III

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

Goodbye Triet ... good riddance: Vietcong Go Home!

KI-Media Note: King Sihamoni expressed his gratitude to the Vietnamese volunteer soldiers for their assistance in fighting the regime of genocide, but history recorded also that "one part of the Vietnamese invasion plan had apparently been to capture then-Prince Norodom Sihanouk who was essentially under house-arrest in the capital. Before they could do that however, the Khmer Rouge spirited him away to New York to speak out against the invasion and then on to China and North Korea for refuge." So knowing this fact, were the king and his senior officials thankful for the Vietnamese plan to capture his father? This is what happens when one cannot remember history and one dare not talk about their own people's plight! Bravo!?!?

State President wraps up visit to Cambodia

08/29/2010
VOV News

State President Nguyen Minh Triet has wrapped up his official visit to Cambodia to promote the traditional relationship between the two countries.

Over the past days, all of Cambodia was decorated with colourful banners and flowers to welcome Mr. Triet and his delegation.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Doan Viet Trung said the visit was motivation to develop the time-honoured Vietnam-Cambodia relationship.

The visit laid a foundation to bring the relationship to a new height, said Trung.

In a party for the President, Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni said Cambodia people are very happy to have such good friends as the Vietnamese, who have helped them in their struggle against colonialism and imperialism.

In agreement with the king, Cambodian senior officials expressed their great gratitude to Vietnamese volunteer soldiers for their assistance in fighting the regime of genocide.

Great Supreme Patriarch Tep Vong and Great Supreme Patriarch Bou Kry said Vietnam not only helped Cambodia in its struggle but also in its re-construction and the development of Cambodian Buddhism. [KI-Media note: The oppressive communist Vietnamese regime helped rebuilt Buddhism? Lord Buddha, please forgive this blasphemy!]

Cambodia is now a developing country with industrial parks emerging from the “killing fields.”

In 2010, Cambodia’s economic growth could reach 5 percent and annual per capita income is expected to hit US$1,900. Economic co-operation between the two countries has also increased strongly in recent years. Vietnam has 63 projects in Cambodia with combined investment capital of more than US$900 million. Two-way trade turnover is estimated to be more than US$2 billion and high-quality Vietnamese products are securing a firm foothold in the Cambodian market.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen affirmed that his country’s economic development can be attributed to Vietnam’s contributions through investment and trade exchange. During the visit, President Nguyen Minh Triet and PM Hun Sen agreed to expand co-operation in mining, telecommunications, finance, banking, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, transport, culture and information. The two sides also agreed to complete land border demarcation by 2012 to create borders with peace and stability.

Investment between the two countries has been blooming in recent years, said Mr. Trung. Vietnam is one of the leading investors in Cambodia. At its current pace, Vietnam’s investment in Cambodia will reach a minimum of US$6 billion in the next five years, mainly in energy, hydroelectricity, aviation, banking, finance, oil and gas.

Over the ups and downs of history, close ties of solidarity and friendship between the two countries have been forged and developed. Mr. Triet, the Cambodian King and other leaders reaffirmed that those traditional ties are an invaluable asset which should last forever.

Mr. Triet said the two nations have lived together for a long time and they always stand side by side in hard times. Cambodia expressed its deep gratitude for Vietnam’s support, particularly for saving it from genocide, while Vietnam thanks Cambodia for its support during the resistance struggles. History has seen fine relations between the two countries so the current generation has the responsibility to develop the relationship and sustain it in the future.

During his visit to Cambodia, Mr. Triet also cut the ribbon to inaugurate the Radio the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) bureau in Phnom Penh.

Triet and Sihamoni applauded efforts by the 2 gov'ts to effectively implement previously signed agreements including the illegal ones? Bravo?!?!

President Triet meets Cambodia’s King Norodom in Phnom Penh

Saturday, 28/08/2010
VNS

VietNamNet Bridge - President Nguyen Minh Triet and Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni yesterday agreed that the two countries should continue holding high-ranking meetings to further foster the expansion of multi-faceted co-operation.

They also applauded efforts by the two Governments to effectively implement previously signed agreements. (sic!)

The two leaders met in Phnom Penh during Triet's official visit to Cambodia which began on Thursday and ends today.

Welcoming Triet and his wife to Cambodia, King Norodom Sihamoni said the visit was an important event that would create strong motivation to bolster traditional ties and comprehensive co-operation between Viet Nam and Cambodia in the coming time.

He expressed his gratitude for the support given by Viet Nam's leaders and people to Cambodia in the past as well as to the country's current recovery and development.

The King said he was impressed with Viet Nam's achievements in building and developing the country and highly valued Viet Nam's position in the region and in the world.

While affirming that Cambodia would always be a good neighbour to Viet Nam, he asserted his determination to cultivate the fine traditional and comprehensive relations between the two countries.

He also wished that Viet Nam, under the leadership of the Communist Party and State, would continue to gain more achievements in its national construction and development.

President Nguyen Minh Triet thanked the King for his warm welcome, saying that he highly valued the achievements gained by Cambodia under the King's rule and the leadership of the Royal Government. Triet applauded Cambodia's increasingly higher position in the region and in the world.

He also expressed his deep gratitude to Cambodia for its support to Viet Nam during the country's struggle for liberation and unification in the past and construction and defence at present, and for the support the government gives to Vietnamese people who are living in Cambodia.

Triet affirmed Viet Nam's policy to prioritise building and developing relations with Cambodia and conveyed his greetings to former King Norodom Sihanouk and Queen Mother Norodom Moninieth Sihanouk.

Triet donated VND8 billion (US$410,000) and 50 computers to King Norodom Sihamoni for the Cambodian Royal Fund.

Building achievements

Also on the same day, Triet met separately with Samdech Sisowath Chivanmoniral, first vice president of the senate of Cambodia; Ngoun Nhel, acting president of the Cambodian National Assembly; and Samdech Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Royal Government of Cambodia.

At the meetings, Triet said Viet Nam was always willing to share its experience and co-operate with Cambodia for mutual interest and benefit. Viet Nam would do its best to ensure the fine co-operation between the two countries could contribute to ASEAN unity.

In the coming period, he said, the two countries needed to strengthen co-operation mechanisms between policy-making and executive bodies, organisations and especially bordering provinces.

Triet suggested the two sides foster ties in specific industries, including national security and defence, trade and commerce, agriculture, forestry and aquaculture, transport, mineral exploitation, oil and gas, education, healthcare, and tourism.

He also said the Royal Government should instruct relevant bodies to foster land border demarcation works to be completed by the end of 2010 as agreed.

Leaders of Cambodian Senate, NA and Royal Government expressed their deep gratitude for Viet Nam's support, particularly in saving Cambodia from genocide.

Triet also visited Great Supreme Patriarch Tep Vong at Wat Ounalom and Great Supreme Patriarch Bou Kry at Wat Botum.

Will meet Triet, WON'T talk Khmer Krom: King of nowhere ruling over nobody

Cambodian King receives President Triet in Phnom Penh

08/27/2010
VOV News

King Norodom Sihamoni has described President Nguyen Minh Triet’s current visit to Cambodia as an historical event, which he said will help bring fresh impetus to the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

At a reception in Phnom Penh on August 27, King Sihamoni thanked the Vietnamese leaders and people for providing heartfelt support and valuable assistance to Cambodia in the past as well as in its national development at present.

He also thanked them for warmly receiving Father King Norodom Sihanouk and his wife Norodom Moninieth Sihanouk during their visit to Vietnam in June 2010.

The King expressed his admiration for Vietnam’s tremendous achievements in its Renewal process and its rising profile in the region and the world.

Vietnamese people are reliable friends of Cambodian people, said King Sihamoni.

He affirmed that Cambodia will continue to build up the long-lasting and neighbourly friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam.

President Triet praised Cambodia’s position in the world and expressed his belief that under the reign of King Sihamoni and the leadership from the Royal Government, Cambodia will obtain greater achievements in national construction for the sake of peace, development and prosperity.

He valued Cambodia’s support to Vietnam in the past struggle for national liberation and the current process of Renewal. He thanked the King, the government and people of Cambodia for creating conditions for the Vietnamese community to live and study in the country, contributing to its development and to cementing the friendship between the two nations.

Vietnam attaches great importance to and will do its utmost to strengthen the traditional friendship and all-round cooperation with Cambodia, said Mr Triet.

Both host and guest agreed that Vietnam and Cambodia should maintain high-level visit exchanges to facilitate the expansion of their multifaceted cooperation. They also acknowledged their governments’ effort in implementing signed agreements effectively.

Sacrava's Political Cartoon: Nguyen Minh Triet

Click on the cartoon to zoom in

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

Hanoi marching order for Hun Xen on Triet's visit to the Yuon colony of Cambodia

Strengthening friendship and comprehensive co-operation between Vietnam and Cambodia

August 26, 2010
Nhan Dan (Hanoi)

President Nguyen Minh Triet starts a State visit to Cambodia today at the invitation of King Norodom Sihamoni. This is the second visit to Cambodia by President Triet since his first visit to the country in 2007.

The visit comes at a time when the relationships between Vietnam and Cambodia is developing well. President Triet’s visit reflects the determination of leaders and peoples of the two countries to always attach great importance to consolidating and boosting the traditional friendship and comprehensive co-operation between Vietnam and Cambodia for their mutual benefit.

Such friendly relationships and comprehensive co-operation between Vietnam and Cambodia have consolidated and developed in all fields under the motto “Good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive co-operation and long-term stability." The exchange of high-level visits over the past years and most recently, General Secretary Nong Duc Manh’s visit to Cambodia in December 2009 and the visit to Vietnam by Cambodia’s former King Norodom Sihanouk, his wife Norodom Moninieth Sihanouk, and King Norodom Sihamoni in June this year, have contributed to further promoting the friendship and comprehensive co-operation between the two countries to a deeper, more effective and reliable level. The economic co-operation, trade and investment between the two countries has seen positive development. The two-way trade between the two countries in 2009 earned US$1.3 billion and the two countries strive to reach the target of over US$2 billion this year. The current investment of Vietnam in Cambodia is approximately US$900 million. The implementation of hydroelectricity projects and Vietnam – Cambodia joint venture bauxite exploitation is expected to reach US$6 billion within five years. Both countries have also promoted co-operation between ministries, sectors and localities. The two sides have collaborated to maintain security and stability in the border areas and agreed to complete land border demarcation in 2012. The two sides have set up a joint committee on economics, culture, science and technology with the aim to review co-operative plans on economics, politics, trade, military and security every year and put forth new plans for the future. In addition, both countries have accelerated co-operation in education and training, energy, electricity, healthcare, transport and communications. Vietnam and Cambodia have closely co-ordinated on regional and multilateral co-operation within the framework of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Asia- Europe Meeting (ASEM), the Mekong River Commission (MRC) and the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle.

The Vietnamese people would like to take this opportunity to thank the Royal Family, Government and the people of Cambodia for their valuable support for Vietnam in the past as well as at present. We wish the Cambodian people, under the clear-sighted leadership of King Norodom Sihamoni and the Royal Government will gain more achievements in their cause to build a peaceful, independent, neutral, non-aligned and prosperous country.

May the visit by President Nguyen Minh Triet be crowned with success, thus making an important contribution to strengthening and developing the traditional friendship, good neighbourliness, comprehensive co-operation and long-term stability between Vietnam and Cambodia for the happiness and prosperity of both nations as well as nations in the region and around the world.

NHAN DAN

Sihamoni's decree to remove Thaksin ... does not bear his royal signature nor his royal seal? Did anybody lose the royal rubber stamp?

Click on the decree in Khmer to zoom in

The kingdoom-colony's master is expected

Triet and Sihamini (Photo: AP)

Vietnam President Expected for Official Visit

Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Tuesday, 24 August 2010

“The purpose of this visit is to promote the relationship between the two countries and promote trade and investment of the two countries.”

Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet is scheduled to make a three-day trip to Cambodia beginning Thursday to promote increasing trade between the two countries, officials said Tuesday.

“The progress of investment, trade and tourism is greatly increasing,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said. “This state visit also promotes the other sectors. When we speak of the bilateral friendship and cooperation between the two countries, we have to focus on all fields.”

Nguyen is expected to meet with King Norodom Sihamoni at the Royal Palace and hold talks with Prime Minister Hun Sen, National Assembly President Heng Samrin and Senate President Chea Sim.

“The purpose of this visit is to promote the relationship between the two countries and promote trade and investment of the two countries,” Ngo Thi Hoa, deputy chief of mission for the Vietnamese Embassy in Phnom Penh, told VOA Khmer. “We want the government open for the Vietnamese investors to do business in Cambodia.”

Trade between the two countries has increased steadily over the past 10 years, from $146 million in 2001 to more than $1 billion in 2009. Trade for the first half of 2010 alone was $862 million, with Vietnamese exports accounting for about $728 million. Those export figures were a 34 percent rise from the same period last year, according to government figures.

Vietnamese investment here was $150 million for the first seven months of the year, in sectors ranging from telecommunications, banking and finance, air transport, agriculture, light industry, rubber, mining, energy and healthcare, according to the Council for the Development of Cambodia.

Nguyen will also attend the opening of a representative office for the Voice of Vietnam radio.

New Book Examines China's Policy Toward Cambodia

Sophie Richardson

Sihanouk and Chou En Lai
Sihanouk and Mao Zedong
Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk, right, arrives with Chinese President Hu Jintao, at a reception marking the 55th anniversary of the founding of communist China, in Beijing's Great Hall of the People Thursday, Sept. 30, 2004. (Photo: AP)
Hun Xen and Hu Jintao
Sihamini and Hu Jintao

Men Kimseng, VOA Khmer
Washington, DC Tuesday, 24 August 2010

“If Sihanouk got nothing else, in terms of his relationship with the Chinese government, his very early support and very public support for the one-China policy and for the PRC regaining the Chinese seat at the UN made an enormous difference.”

China's foreign policy follows five principles in dealing with other countries, including Cambodia, with which it has had ties since the 1950s. But changes in China's policy have at times had direct political effects on Cambodia.

In a new book "China, Cambodia, and the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence," author Sophie Richardson examines how China's foreign policy has influenced Cambodia.

“I think the Chinese government deals very conscientiously with all different kinds of countries and governments in pretty much the same way,” Richardson said a recent launch for her new title, in Washington. “It is not nicer to communist governments than it is to non-communist ones. It is not tougher on democracy than it is on dictatorship.”

Richardson, who is also advocacy director for Human Rights Watch, said her research was based mostly on archives, including China's, and on hundreds of interviews with diplomats.

The five principles espoused by China are mutual respect for sovereignty, non-aggression, non-interference, equality, mutual benefit and peaceful co-existence. These were created by the founding members of the Chinese Communist Party in 1940 and furthered by Mao Zedong.

When Cambodia gained independence from France in 1954, China's policy towards it was based on the principles rather than security, wealth or ideology, Richardson said.

Cambodia was at first seen as a part of Indochina, but that changed with a meeting between Chinese premier Zhou Enlai and then-prince Norodom Sihanouk. China began to recognize Cambodia and Cambodia was a help to China.

“If Sihanouk got nothing else, in terms of his relationship with the Chinese government, his very early support and very public support for the one-China policy and for the PRC regaining the Chinese seat at the UN made an enormous difference,” Richardson said. “To this day, you'll hear people in Beijing talk about that particular decision on Sihanouk's part.”

China was also concerned about its own security and growing US involvement in Southeast Asia, while newly independent Cambodia wanted major powers to see it as neutral. That helped tie the two together.

Delegations followed, including one led by then secretary of state for education Pung Peng Cheng in late 1950. His daughter, Pung Chhiv Kek, who went on to found the rights group Licadho, remembers the trip.

“We had a royal ballet troupe that included Princess Bopha Devy and Prince [Norodom] Chakrapong,” Pung Chhiv Kek told VOA Khmer. “There didn't seem to be a political or economic discussion. I think it was mainly to strengthen friendship.”

That friendship did grow, and China kept close to its five principles for the most part. But when it did stray, developments in China were to have a sweeping impact on Cambodia.

Under the Cultural Revolution, radical Marxists began spreading their ideology and support. They developed close ties with the Khmer Rouge. Chinese officials also supported Norodom Sihanouk's exiled government, following his overthrow in 1970.

Those relationships made current diplomatic ties hard at first.

Richardson writes that the ruling Cambodian People's Party looked to China as “the best source of aid and diplomatic resources” without conditions, but that “Beijing's history with Sihanouk, the [Khmer Rouge], and [Democratic Kampuchea] made forging this relationship difficult.”

Hun Sen at first was wary of China, Richardson writes, quoting a Chinese article. But Hun Sen was “also aware that China is big and strong, peaceful and cooperative, does not interfere, and can help Cambodia out of its poverty, so the past must be forgotten to win China's support.”

In the end, mistrust on both sides was put aside.

“Beijing may have had its hesitation about Hun Sen, but the reverse was not true...One Chinese official was even willing to overlook the CPP's past connection to Hanoi in praising the stalwart CPP members who had not left the country in the 1980s.”

Today, China has become a major donor to Cambodia, and diplomatic ties are as strong as ever.

Triet on inspection tour of Viet colony of Cambodia, as well as visiting the Viet colonial settlers in Cambodia

Triet (Right) and Sihamoni (L) shaking hands under the gaze of Uncle Ho (Photo: AP)

Vietnam president to visit Cambodia this week

August 23, 2010
Xinhua

Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet is scheduled to pay a three-day state visit to Cambodia this week, according to a government statement released Monday.

The Foreign Ministry's statement said at the invitation of Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, Nguyen Minh Triet, president of Socialist Republic of Vietnam will lead a delegation to pay a state visit to Cambodia from Aug. 26 to Aug. 28.

Nguyen Minh Triet will be received in a royal audience by King Sihamoni in the Royal Palace, and he will be respectively received courtesy calls by Chea Sim, president of the Senate, Heng Samrin, president of the National Assembly, and Hun Sen, prime minister of Cambodia.

During the visit, Ngueyn Minh Triet will attend the opening ceremony of representative office of the Voice of Vietnam based in Phnom Penh and also visit the Cambodian-Vietnamese friendship school, according to the statement.

Cambodia's former King returns home from friendship visit to Vietnam

June 25, 2010
Xinhua

Cambodia's former King Norodom Sihanouk on Friday returned home from a four-day friendship visit to Hanoi at the invitation of Vietnamese president.

Sihanouk was accompanied by his wife and son King Norodom Sihamoni. Prime Minister Hun Sen, the National Assembly President Heng Samrin and the Senate President Chea Sim and other government officials and royal family members met them at the Phnom Penh International Airport.

During his stay in Hanoi, King Father Norodom Sihanouk met with Vietnamese President Nguen Ninh Triet, focusing on the topic of further strengthening the traditional relations between the two countries.

Triet said Sihanouk's visit demonstrated the friendly relations and fine cooperation between the two countries. The former King also thanked Vietnam for supporting Cambodia in the cause of the national protection and construction.

Before the former king's visit, his adviser Prince Sisowath Thomico said that the former king's Vietnamese trip will not address political issues. "I think that the visit will be aimed to boost good relations between the governments of Cambodia and Vietnam and between the peoples of the two countries."

"Being retired and no longer doing politics nor diplomacy, my trip to the glorious Socialist Republic of Vietnam will have a strictly private character," the former King said in a statement dated June 14.

The former king made the first visit to Vietnam in 1995 in his capacity as a king of Cambodia. Sihanouk abdicated in October 2004 and was succeeded by his son King Norodom Sihamoni.

Your Majesties, welcome back to … Nam Vang, the capital of Champa II

25 June 2010
DAP news
Translated from Khmer by Sujata

Phnom Penh – At 10:30AM on 25 June 2010, the king father of the Khmer nation, his wife and son, King Norodom Sihamoni, arrived back at their kingdoom after completing a 4-day visit in Vietnam.

During the return of King-Father, Queen-Mother and King-Son, several Cambodian leaders came to greet the royals, they are Samdach Chea Xim, Samdach Heng Xamrin, and Samdach Hun Xen (aka, the trio Xim, Xam, Xen) and Chumteav Dr. Bun Rany Hun Xen, as well as numerous palace and embassy officials.

It should be reminded that during their 4-day visit, King-Father, Queen-Mother and King-Son were warmly welcomed by Nguyen Minh Triet, Hanoi’s regime president, and Nong Duc Manh, the Viet communist party secretary general.

Me luv u v'ry mutt, but me luv ur land v'ry mutt more!

Party leader meets with King

06/24/2010
VOV News (Hanoi)

Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh has described Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni’s visit to Vietnam as a rare and particularly important event.

At a reception on June 23, the Party leader congratulated the achievements made by the Cambodian people over the years and wished them further success in building a peaceful, independent and democratic country (sic!).

Mr. Manh also expressed his deep gratitude to the King, former King Norodom Sihanouk and Queen Mother Norodom Moninieth Sihanouk, and the Cambodian people for their support to Vietnam during the country’s past struggle for national liberation and unification and current process of national construction and defence.

He also affirmed Vietnam’s policy of giving priority to building and developing relations with Cambodia based on the motto of “fine neighbourhood, traditional friendship, comprehensive and long-lasting cooperation”.

Cambodia King Norodom Sihamoni reaffirmed Cambodia’s determination to preserve and develop the fine neighbourliness, traditional friendship, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia.

The same day, Mr. Manh also met with former King Norodom Sihanouk and Queen Mother Norodom Moninieth Sihanouk, also on a friendship visit to Vietnam along with King Norodom Sihamoni.

Vietnam and Cambodia to further tighten relations [... of course, it was not a political discussion, right?]

Mutual confidence: Will Cambodians need to get used doing this?

Cambodia's current and former kings discussing with Nguyen Minh Triet on a lot of subject that are not political, such as ... friendship, cooperation and mutual confidence. Should we now blindly trust all the border posts planted inside Cambodian territories?

June 23, 2010
Nhan Dan (Hanoi)

President Nguyen Minh Triet and Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni said on June 23 that they believed the friendship, co-operation and mutual confidence between leaders and people of the two nations will be further tightened.

The statements were made during a reception the same day for Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni who is in Vietnam for a four-day visit.

President Triet hailed the friendship visit of the Cambodian royal family members, former King Norodom Sihanouk, his wife Norodom Moninieth Shihanouk and King Norodom Sihamoni, saying that the visit demonstrates the friendship and traditional co-operation between the two countries.

He stressed that Vietnamese people and generations of Vietnamese leaders always bore in mind, respected and were thankful for the profound sentiments and support of Cambodian people to Vietnam in the past and during the present.

King Norodom Sihamoni expressed his respect for the sentiments and the warm welcome that Vietnamese people and leaders gave to his delegation as well as their great support for Cambodian people in the past struggle for national defence and during the current national construction.

The King asserted Cambodia’s commitments to strengthening and further promoting its friendship and the all-sided, long-term co-operation with Vietnam.