Scholars, students and academics from Cambodia and China attended a forum to discuss 60 years of relations between the two countries in a series of topics aimed to boost economic and diplomatic ties.

Co-organised by the Confucius Institute at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, the two-day forum which began yesterday is expected to underline cultural exchange, trade and diplomatic cooperation under China’s One Belt One Road initiative.

The forum is being held just ahead of the 60-year anniversary of diplomatic relations.

Deputy Prime Minister Bin Chhin said yesterday at the forum that Cambodia is stepping up its cooperation with China through trade, politics and cultural and academic exchanges.

Mr Chhin added that over the last few decades, these relations have been significantly improved.

“The forum provides an important platform to Cambodian and Chinese researchers to meet and discuss challenging issues and find a solution that could be submitted to leaders of the two countries,” he said. “Today’s event is only the beginning and many tasks remain with scholars and researchers to contribute to the development of Chinese-Cambodian relations.”

Sok Touch, president of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said that discussions will reveal issues to be addressed by China and Cambodia.

“For example, in the field of politics, we have seen that the two countries have reached the desired outcome,” Mr Touch said.

“However, opinions vary at the grassroots level as the relationship between the two countries have reflected some negative aspects.”

He added that this is a problem for the academic community to solve.

“Here, researchers sit together to talk and discuss about issues and how we can find a solution for it,” Mr Touch said.