From 4 to 7 December 2024, the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) organised a Chinese media familiarization trip to Cambodia, under the theme of “Heritage and Harmony: Exploring the Heart of Southeast Asia in Cambodia”. Journalists from Global Times Online, People's Daily Online, China Daily, a Senior Director and an online influencer from the Bilibili Company,as well as a diplomat from the Cambodian Embassy in Beijing joined the visit.
The delegation joined Secretary General Shi Zhongjun's meeting with Minister of Information of Cambodia H.E. Neth Pheaktra, and visited the headquarter of Bayon Television. They also exchanged views with local media representatives, discussed about deepening friendship and mutual understanding between China and Cambodia through media promotion, and invited them to join the Network of ACC Media Partners (NAMP), to enhance media exchanges and cooperation between ASEAN and China.
As this year is the China-Cambodia People-to-People Exchange Year, the delegation interviewed Cambodian Princess Jenna Norodom, visited the Royal University of Phnom Penh, and attended the Cambodia-China Travel Fair. The media reported widely on the fruitful achievements in the fields of culture, education, tourism between the two countries, which attracted many followers online.
The delegation also visited the signature projects of Belt and Road Initiative Cooperation between China and Cambodia, namely the Cambodia National Stadium, and the Siem Reap Angkor International Airport. They reported on how the cooperation projects benefit the local people and showcase the stories of ironclad friendship between the two countries.
In the ASEAN-China Year of People-to-people Exchanges, the Chinese media familiarization trip to ASEAN countries has helped to strengthen media exchanges, raise the profile of ASEAN-China relations, and deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the general public of the two sides.