‘ONE CHINA’:Lawmakers said the Cambodian leader’s comments might have been due to pressure from China, but the ministry’s spokeswoman was more circumspect
Taipei Times
Date: Feb 08, 2017
By: Alison Hsiao and Chen Wei-han / Staff reporters, with CNA
The government has no comment on Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen’s remarks that
Cambodian Prime Minister, who is also president of the Cambodian People’s Party, waves to party members as he arrives at an event marking the 38th anniversary of the 1979 downfall of the Khmer Rouge at party headquarters in Phnom Penh on Jan. 7. Photo: AP
the Republic of China’s (ROC) flag is banned from being raised in his country to “respect the sovereignty of China,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) spokeswoman Eleanor Wang (王珮玲) said yesterday.
According to the Cambodian Daily, Hun Sen reiterated his government’s support for Beijing’s “one China” principle during a dinner on Saturday hosted by the Cambodian-Chinese Association.
“We should not do anything that affects respect for China’s sovereignty and independence through shaking hands and stepping on feet,” the paper quoted him as saying. “I request to people here: Please do not raise the Taiwanese flag whenever you are gathering, even at a hotel during Taiwan’s national holidays. It is not allowed.”
Calling Taiwan and Tibet provinces of China, Hun Sen said that his nation’s foreign policy is the one that has been implemented since the Sihanouk regime, referring to King Norodom Sihanouk.
“As an independent, sovereign nation, we endeavor to maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and are willing to establish a friendly and mutually beneficial relationship with any country in the region, including Cambodia,” Wang said.
The Cambodia Daily also reported that Taiwan tried to establish a trade office in Phnom Penh, but was snubbed by Hun Sen in 2009 and again in July 2014, citing the government’s adherence to the “one China” principle. [FULL STORY]
