Category: 英文版新闻

NEWS: With factual evidence, Cambodia turns down a published article on a Thai news outlet, The Nation Thailand, baselessly reporting that a forest fire in the country spread from Cambodia.

The Nation Thailand on Feb. 11 published an article claiming that the forest fire incident in Cambodia’s Pursat province had spread and caused a forest fire at Banthat mountain in Trat province of Thailand.

The article embedded its carrying image that showed only the fire incident in Thailand.

The Pursat Provincial Department of Environment issued a clarification on the same day rejecting the article, explaining that there was a small-scale bushfire in Thmar Da commune, Veal Veng district of the province, and the area is not covered with forest that connects to the forest in Thailand.

Pertinent authority of the province, added the clarification, had timely stopped the fire, resulting in no harm to human, animal, and forest biodiversity in the location.

With further scientific assessment using the recorded satellite images and the wind movement during the time of the incident, Cambodia’s Ministry of Environment issued another clarification on Feb. 12 to support the statement of its Pursat’s line department and completely turned down the misleading and unfactual report by the Nation Thailand.

The ministry also reaffirmed its high commitment to closely monitoring and readiness to intervene in forest fire incidents that could hamper Cambodia’s natural resources and biodiversity as well as human health and security.

NEWS: His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia (R, Pic. 1) receives credentials from H.E. Nguyen Minh Vu, newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the Kingdom of Cambodia, at the Royal Palace here in Feb. 7.

NEWS: A Japanese NGO, Caring for Young Khmer (CYK), led by its Director Ms. Harumi Sekiguchi, has handed over 40 pieces of Hol Pidan, to the Cambodian Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts to be displayed at the National Museum of Cambodia.

The handover ceremony took place here at the National Museum of Cambodia on Feb. 4 under the presidency of H.E. Dr. Phoeurng Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts and H.E. UENO Atsushi, Ambassador of Japan to Cambodia.

The donation is aimed to ensure the sustainability of the preservation, care and promotion of the exquisite and unique heritage of Khmer silk weaving, as well as to provide access and convenience to Cambodian silk weavers who wish to study the forms and designs on silk fabrics, said the Ministry of Culture in a news release.

In 2014, Ms. Harumi Sekiguchi handed over Hol Pidan to the National Museum of Cambodia twice – the first time with 23 pieces and the second time with 2 pieces.

“The museum sincerely hopes that the public will consider the possibility of donating other artifacts to the museum as national treasures, as the Japanese team did today, as these artifacts will become living documents for the dissemination and study of the intangible heritage left behind by our Khmer ancestors,” read the news release.

Last year, residents of Prey Kabbas district in Takeo province donated three pieces of Hol Pidan to the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) Asian Traditional Textiles Museum in Siem Reap province.

Hold Pidan generally depicts stories and patterns that hold cultural significance in Cambodian society.

NEWS: Communities around the Angkor area in Siem Reap province have preserved the traditional celebration of the locally called Lerng Meak or Lerng Neak Ta—a cultural event marking the conclusion of the farming season.

The APSARA National Authority shared the important celebration in its news release late last week.

On a designated day in the Khmer calendar, which falls between January and February, multiple villages in the Angkor area gather at their respective local location of ancestral significance to celebrate the event.

It means to worship ancestors and seek their blessings for good health, adequate rainfall for the next farming, and fertile land for abundant crops, according to the release.

The celebration could be slightly different in terms of its contents in different communities, reflecting unique customs, lifestyles, and practices passed down through generations.

NEWS: Canada will upgrade its presence in Phnom Penh to a full embassy with resident ambassador in 2025, in line with Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau’s announcement at the 2024 ASEAN Leader’s Summit in Vientiane, Lao PDR.

According to a press release of the Office of the Embassy of Canada to Cambodia, Canada has important history of supporting international efforts to bring peace and stability to Cambodia. Canada estimates that over 1,000 Canadian soldiers have served in Cambodia since 1954.

Canada’s bilateral relations with Cambodia have been significant in recent year. Canada is Cambodia’s 10th largest donor of Overseas Development Assistance at US$23.1 million CAD in 2022-2023. Canada provided the financial assistance required to organise the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (also known as the Ottawa Convention) Review Conference in Siem Reap in November 2024, at which Canada announced an additional US$2.1 million to add to its over US$50 million of support for Cambodia to clear landmines and unexploded ordinance.

Canada is Cambodia’s seventh largest trade partner. In 2023, Cambodia exported US$2.1 billion of merchandise to Canada. Over 60 Canadian business leaders will visit Phnom Penh this May for trade mission.

Cambodia and Canada established their diplomatic relations in 1952, even before Cambodia gained independence from France. By C. Nika