Ukrainian FM signs treaty to bolster ties with Southeast Asian bloc
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, on Thursday signed a treaty at the sidelines of the Southeast Asian summit as Kyiv seeks to strengthen ties with the regional bloc, which had joined international condemnation of Russia’s invasion.
Ukraine became the 50th country to sign the Instrument of Accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC). TAC is a peace treaty established in 1976 on cooperation, peace, non-interferant on affairs and solving problems by peaceful mean.
Cambodia is hosting the Asean leaders’ summit and also the East Asia Summit over the next few days in Phnom Penh, with some meetings due to include Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as well as being attended by US President Joe Biden.
Cambodia has been more outspoken than most of the members of the 10-member Asean bloc over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The world’s population is going to reach a massive 8 billion on this November 15, according to United Nations projections.
The global population has increased sharply in the last few decades. The number reached 1 billion in the early 1800s, and it took until 1928 for it reach 2 billion.
Since then, the population has doubled twice, reaching 4 billion in 1975 and now 8 billion in 2022.
The UN says this rise is “due to the gradual increase in human lifespan owing to improvements in public health, nutrition, personal hygiene and medicine
It is also the result of high and persistent levels of fertility in some countries”.
The UN website has started a countdown clock to November 15, which it calls the “Day of Eight Billion”
Karaoke venues, nightclubs, car and motorcycle parking lots as well as parking on the roadsides will be banned by Phnom Penh authorities during the upcoming Asean Summits and related meetings. The use of sirens by all public and private hospitals will be banned during the same period by the technical director-general of the Ministry of health.
Ahead of the November 10-13 meetings, Phnom Penh governor Khuong Sreng held November 7 final meeting to review progress of strengthening security and public order, as well as protecting the aesthetics and environment of the capital.
He instructed the governors of the city’s 14 districts to closely examine any business locations that might pose a risk to the image and great honour of the Kingdom, and suspend their operations for the duration of the summit.
“On the main roads that delegates will pass along, especially the Russian Federation Boulevard, all gas stations, car dealerships and construction sites, etc. have been temporarily suspended as are KTVs and entertainment clubs. The parking of cars or motorcycles along these main thoroughfares is also forbidden,” he said.
Sreng added that during the Asean Summit, any gatherings at guest houses, protests or actions that disturb the procession of delegates are strictly prohibited.
According to Article 81 of the Road Traffic Law, “Anyone who disobeys the orders of the competent officers to protect the procession of delegates or senior leaders or causes damage to a convoy vehicle shall be punished by imprisonment for one to six months and a fqine of 800,000 to 4 million riel.”
On November 8, Hok Kim Cheng, the health ministry’s technical director-general, issued a letter to the directors of all public and private health services and clinics, explaining that ambulances were banned from using sirens.
“From November 8 to 14, during the Asean Summit, it is strictly forbidden for ambulances to use sirens on the streets, even while transporting patients,” he said.
He added that the sirens were a nuisance to security and public order, and a distraction for the traffic police who were preparing to welcome the guests of the summit.
Phnom Penh governor Sreng stated that the Asean Summit, which Cambodia is chairing, will be attended by the heads of state and government of 28 countries as well as a number of NGOs along with many dialogue partners. During these important meetings, there will be traffic jams on some roads as the high-level national and international delegations pass through to attend the meetings.
The Phnom Penh Municipal Authority on November 4 announced to temporarily block all types of vehicles from entering Phnom Penh via the Boulevard of the Russian Federation. Drivers must divert their travel via the Chom Chao flyover towards Chom Chao Boulevard.
Vehicles entering and exiting Norodom Blvd. must divert via Street 63 and Sisowath Quay. Vehicles entering and exiting Monivong Blvd. will be diverted at the intersection of Kbal Thnal Road to the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces Boulevard, Street 271 and at the Kouch Kanong Roundabout and turn to Oknha Khleang Moeung Street or Street 70.
Theng Sothol, governor of 7 Makara district, told The Post on November 9 that district authorities had stepped up measures to protect security, beauty, the environment and public order from November 5, when international guests began entering Cambodia. He said that several important roads in the district were already prepared, including Russian Federation Blvd., Monivong Blvd., Sihanoukville Blvd. and Kampuchea Krom Blvd.
“In my district, most of our measures have been taken around the Council of Ministers building, as well as Monivong Blvd. None of the international visitors have chosen accommodation in my district. People’s businesses and daily lives should not be unduly affected, but they must remember to play their part in maintaining order and a clean environment,” he said.
Yoon to announce Indo-Pacific strategy at the Asean Summit
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022
President Yoon Suk-yeol will attend the upcoming Asean and G20 summits to strengthen economic and security ties with the region and present the nation’s new Indo-Pacific and Asean strategies. During the six-day journey, he could have multilateral talks with the US and Japan, but the chance of bilateral meetings with Japan and China appears low.
The president will depart for Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Friday to attend the Asean summit and then leave for Bali, Indonesia on Monday to join the G20 summit. This is his first journey to Southeast Asia since taking office.
Yoon will attend the Asean summit on Friday upon arrival to present the government’s new Indo-Pacific strategies and Asean policy, called the Korea- Asean solidarity initiative.
Then, he will attend Asean Plus Three the next day. The meeting is regional cooperation launched for a joint response in the wake of the Asian financial crisis in 1997. It consists of ten Asean member states, South Korea, Japan and China.
On Sunday, the Korean president will attend the East Asia Summit, attended by 10 Asean countries along with South Korea, Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Russia and the US.
“The East Asia Summit is a strategic forum for discussing key regional and international security issues at the summit level,” Kim said. “President Yoon will explain our basic position on regional and international issues and emphasize Korea’s willingness to contribute actively to freedom, peace and prosperity.”
Yoon will later move to Bali, Indonesia, where the G20 will be held, and attend the B20 Summit — an event designed to give voice to international business community’s views — on Monday, which will involve representatives of economic organizations and companies that are members of the G20. On Tuesday, he will attend the G20 summit and speak at the food, energy, security and health sessions.
As Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chinese President Xi Jinping will also attend the G20 summit, attention is being paid to whether the Korea-Japan and Korea-China summits will be held. But the presidential office saw a slim chance of the bilateral talks.
Regarding the possibility of holding the Korea-Japan summit, a senior presidential official said on the condition of anonymity, “Nothing has been decided yet.”
Regarding a possible meeting with Xi, the official said there would be an opportunity to meet with the Chinese president naturally at the conference, without having official talks. “President Xi is very busy because he has just succeeded in serving his third consecutive term.”
The possibility of a summit with US President Joe Biden remains open. “Bilateral talks with President Biden are under discussion,” the senior official said, adding, “The Korea-US-Japan summit is under discussion.”
As for the concerns about North Korea’s possible seventh nuclear test during President Yoon’s trip, the presidential office said the US, Japan and China leaders would respond to the matter virtually.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was widely expected to test the nation’s seventh nuclear test ahead of the US midterm elections held on Tuesday, but he did not. South Korea and the US authorities are closely monitoring the North’s moves, judging that the regime could carry out a nuclear test at any time.
Yoon will return home around 12 p.m. on Tuesday and arrive in Seoul on Wednesday morning. He is scheduled to hold a Korea-Dutch summit on Thursday and a Korea-Spain summit the next day. Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is reported to meet with Yoon on Thursday, but the presidential office declined to confirm it.
Chinese premier holds talks with Cambodian PM on bilateral cooperation
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang held a meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in Phnom Penh on Wednesday on deepening mutually beneficial cooperation.
Li noted that China and Cambodia enjoy a deep traditional friendship, a high degree of political mutual trust, and fruitful practical cooperation in various fields.
In 2016, Chinese President Xi Jinping made a successful visit to Cambodia. In 2020, Xi awarded Cambodian Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk the Friendship Medal of the People’s Republic of China, noting that both events marked new chapters in China-Cambodia friendship.
Pointing out that Hun Sen was the first foreign leader to visit China after the sudden outbreak of COVID-19, Li said he is very glad that his first trip abroad to Phnom Penh amid the almost three-year pandemic is to attend the East Asia leaders’ meetings and pay an official visit to Cambodia.
He said China views all countries, regardless of their sizes, as equals and supports Cambodia in taking a development path that meets its national context and playing a more important role on international and regional platforms.
China stands ready to enhance high-level interaction and communication with Cambodia, support each other on respective core interests and major concerns, and promote continued and sound development of China-Cambodia relations to the benefit of their people.
Li pointed out that next year will mark the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, adding that it will be a good opportunity for them to make the multiple events under the China-Cambodia Year of Friendship a success.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen
China will increase imports of fine Cambodian agricultural products and support Cambodia in accelerating industrialization, he said.
The two countries will deepen cooperation on science and technology, education and culture, and increase direct flights, Li said, adding that China is ready to do its best to help Cambodia improve people’s livelihood.
Stressing that a stable and prosperous Cambodia has great significance for regional stability, development and the growth of relations between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), Li said that China fully supports Cambodia in hosting the leaders’ meetings on East Asian cooperation as the current Asean Chair, firmly supports Asean unity and centrality, support the Asean-led regional cooperation architecture as well as a bigger role of Asean in promoting international and regional peace and development.
For his part, Hun Sen said that Cambodia and China are iron-clad friends and the bilateral friendship is endorsed and supported by the Cambodian people. Noting that Cambodia firmly upholds the one-China policy and supports building the Cambodia-China community with a shared future, Hun Sen said that Cambodia will work with China to deepen bilateral relations and cooperation.
The two sides also had an in-depth exchange of views on issues of mutual interest.
After the meeting, Li and Hun Sen jointly witnessed the signing of more than 10 bilateral cooperation documents and inaugurated the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway.
On Wednesday afternoon, Li laid wreaths at the Independence Monument of Cambodia and the Statue of King Father Norodom Sihanouk.
PM heads to Cambodia for Asean summits, related meetings
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, accompanied by his wife Naraporn Chan-o-cha, travelled to Cambodia for the 40th and 41st Asean summits.
The PM and his wife departed from Bangkok on Thursday at 7.30am to participate in the summits from Thursday to Sunday.
The key meetings, held under the theme of “Asean: Addressing Challenges Together”, will also see the conclusion of Cambodia as Asean chair, a role which ends on December 31 before Indonesia officially takes over.
During the meeting, Thailand will focus on strengthening Asean to prepare for the challenges ahead, especially in public health and economy, while also creating future opportunities for a sustainable future and retaining peace and stability in the region.
Prayut will participate in these meetings:
Thursday
3.15pm: Asean Leaders’ Interface with representatives of Asean youth
4.30pm: Asean Leaders’ Interface with representatives of the Asean Business Advisory Council
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation laid out Prime Minister Hun Sen’s agenda for the upcoming 40th and 41st Asean Summits and Related Meetings and the 2nd Asean Global Dialogue, which will be held in Phnom Penh from November 10-13.
In a press statement, the ministry said the four-day top-level events will consist of the 40th and 41st Asean Summits, and related meetings. They include the 25th Asean-China Summit; the 25th Asean-Japan Summit; the 23rd Asean-ROK Summit; the 25th Asean Plus Three Summit;Asean-India Commemorative Summit to mark 30 years of Dialogue Relations; the 10th Asean-US Summit; the 2nd Asean- Australia Summit; the Asean-Canada Commemorative Summit; Asean-United Nations (UN) Summit; and the 17th East Asia Summit (EAS).
King Norodom Sihamoni is expected to meet with Asean heads of State and government ahead of the kickoff of the meetings.
Hun Sen and other Asean leaders will meet with representatives of the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, Asean Youth and the Asean Business Advisory Council.
“They will also attend the 2nd Asean Global Dialogue on Post Covid-19 recovery which will be participated in by the heads of several major international organisations. The Leaders of some Asean dialogue partners are also expected to attend the dialogue,” said the ministry.
Hun Sen will also have bilateral meetings with some heads of delegations.
Hun Sen will hand over the gavel of the Asean chair to Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia, as the next Asean chair, at the closing ceremony of the 40th and 41st Asean Summits and Related Summits.
During the meeting, Spain and Ukraine are expected to get accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC). A TAC signing ceremony for the two countries is planned and will be presided over by Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, according to the statement.
Philippines’ Marcos to address Myanmar situation at Asean summit
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022
Philippines’ President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Wednesday the situation in Myanmar will be among several issues that will be addressed at the Asean summit.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday departed for Phnom Penh, Cambodia, to attend his first Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit as the Philippines’ chief executive.
He is set to attend the 40th and and 41st Asean Summits and other related summits from Nov. 10 to 13, where, Marcos said, he will promote and protect the Philippines interests in the region.
“We will emphasize regional cooperation on maritime security, climate change, food security, health cooperation and economic recovery amongst others,” he said in his pre-departure speech.
“We will also address regional issues such as the pandemic, the situation in Myanmar, developments in the South China Sea and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine among other important matters,” Marcos added.
Marcos said he will also attend other summits with Asean’s dialogue partners, including Australia, Canada, China, Japan, India, Republic of Korean and the United States, where nations will review existing and new areas of cooperation and exchange views on regional and international issues.
He said he would also have bilateral meetings with some heads of state, seeking “further cooperation in key priorities” of his administration and exploring ways to unite in addressing the most pressing issues in the region.
Meeting Pinoy community in Cambodia
The President said he also looks forward to meeting the Filipino community in Cambodia.
“I think this is going to be a very very good opportunity for us to forge new partnerships and to strengthen those that have already existed for a very long time,” he said.
“We will promote the Philippines not only as an investment centre, not only as a tourism centre but as a global partner for Asean member nations and for all our friends around the world who will be joining the Asean conference,” Marcos added.
Chinese Premier arrives in Phnom Penh for leaders’ meetings on East Asia cooperation
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022
At the invitation of Prime Minister Hun Sen of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived in Phnom Penh Tuesday evening for a series of leaders’ meetings on East Asia cooperation and an official visit to Cambodia.
Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong and other senior Cambodian officials greeted the delegation at the airport.
Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian and Chinese Ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Deng Xijun were also at the airport to welcome the delegation.
Li noted that China and Asean are comprehensive strategic partners and each other’s largest trading partner.
The international and regional situations are undergoing a complex and profound transformation, with growing uncertainties and instabilities, and unprecedented challenges facing global development, the premier said.
Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang
China expects the East Asia leaders’ meetings to focus on development and cooperation, uphold multilateralism and free trade, adhere to open cooperation and mutual benefit, jointly preserve secure and smooth global industrial and supply chains, enable parties to join hands to address global challenges, and inject new impetus into promoting regional economic integration as well as safeguarding peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region and beyond, Li said.
China and Cambodia, as close neighbours with deep traditional friendship, have continuously made headway in their mutually beneficial cooperation, he said.
Through this visit, China is willing to renew with Cambodia their solidarity and friendship, chart together the way forward for bilateral cooperation, and work for more outcomes in building the China-Cambodia community with a shared future to deliver more benefits to the two countries and their people, he said.
Li will attend the 25th China-Asean Summit, the 25thAsean Plus China, Japan and the Republic of Korea Summit and the 17th East Asia Summit to be held in Phnom Penh.
During his stay in Cambodia, he will have a royal audience with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, hold a meeting with Prime Minister Hun Sen, witness the signing of cooperation documents, and attend events marking the inauguration of the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway and the handover of the Ta Keo Temple restored with Chinese assistance.
Li’s entourage included his wife Cheng Hong and State Councilor and Secretary-General of the State Council Xiao Jie.
Cambodian artist recreates traditional masks for Asean summit
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022
Rows of intricately-decorated masks line an exhibition table on Wednesday at the Sokha Hotel in Cambodia, which is hosting leaders from around the region for the 40th and 41st Asean Summit.
Artist Taming Suon is behind the masks, which are recreations of those worn in Lakhon Khol – a centuries-old tradition of Cambodian masked theatre and dance performances.
“My intention for this exhibition is not to sell them, but to show the leaders our Lakhon Khol culture,” said the bespectacled 35-year-old, showing off his multilingualism as he spoke Mandarin with foreign Chinese guests at his exhibit.
Lakhon Khol was inscribed by Unesco, the United Nations’ cultural agency, into its List ofIntangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguardingin 2018, as practitioners of the traditional performance dwindled among younger generations.
A former Lakhon Khol dancer himself, Taming said the Unesco development spurred him into learning how to create the masks, in the hopes of spreading awareness about Cambodian culture to a larger audience.
“I then had an idea of converting the mask from big to a small souvenir size, but to make it nice and lively looking so people like it and such culture won’t go missing in the future,” he said.
He trained with a master at a local art association, before feeling he was skilled enough to start selling the masks to private buyers in 2020.
The smaller-sized masks are harder to make, due to the complexity of the art on the faces of the characters, Taming said, adding that out of over 100 traditional characters, he only recreates around 25 of them.
At his home studio, Taming demonstrated to Reuters the process behind creating the masks, which involves forming the mask structure using moulds before being embellished with gold-coloured pieces of clay and painted on.
Painting for five days a week, Taming said he has seen healthy demand for the mask creations from both domestic and overseas buyers.
“I want to encourage young artists who have worked hard to make these masks nicely so our younger generation will not forget about our culture,” said Kim Piseth, a buyer who had travelled from outside the capital Phnom Penh.
Cambodia’s centuries-old tradition of masked dance is still struggling to recover, after it was nearly wiped out by the Khmer Rouge’s genocidal 1975-79 rule, when at least 1.7 million people, including artists, dancers and writers, died, mostly from starvation, overwork, disease, execution or torture.
The Asean summit will take place from Thursday (November 10) to Sunday (November 13).
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen
Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang
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