Cambodia & China: “Tea for Harmony Yaji Cultural Salon” to celebrate 2024 People-to-people Exchange

Cambodia and China organised on thursday the “Tea for Harmony Yaji Cultural Salon” to celebrate the Cambodia-China People-to-people Exchange Year 2024 at the Royal University of Fine Arts, Phnom Penh.

The event was presided over by Chinese Ambassador Wang Wentian and Cambodian Minister of Culture and Fine Arts Phoeurng Sackona, with participation from officials and guests of both countries

In his remarks, Ambassador Wang highlighted that China is the birthplace of tea, with traditional Chinese tea processing techniques and related customs inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2022.

“Cambodia also has a rich tea culture, with tea drinks becoming an essential part of daily life for many Cambodians. It can be said that tea has become a significant method for Chinese and Cambodian people to get to know each other, and for the exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese civilization and Khmer civilization. By hosting this cultural tea event, we hope to use it as a means and opportunity to foster mutual understanding and promote friendship between our two peoples,” stated Ambassador Wang.

The Chinese ambassador added, “China and Cambodia have always been good friends and true friends who share the same interests and treat each other sincerely. The traditional friendship between the two countries has withstood time and the test of changes in the international situation, and has remained fresh and strong over time.”

In her remarks, Minister Phoeung Sackona expressed gratitude to the Chinese Embassy in Cambodia for its collaboration and coordination on a range of programs and events

These have facilitated bilateral cooperation in organizing and jointly holding a multitude of activities, including art events, workshops, training sessions, and exchanges of experts in heritage conservation, art, and film.

The minister affirmed her intention to maintain close collaboration with the Chinese Embassy in Phnom Penh, with the objective of further expanding joint activities. This is to contribute to the strengthening of friendly relations between the two countries, in alignment with the high-level leadership of the two governments and to honour the Cambodia-China iron-clad friendship.

The leaders and guests of both countries, in addition to lecturers and students of the Royal University of Fine Arts, were invited to partake in a tasting of specialty teas from Yunnan Province, China, to appreciate Chinese art performances, to experience Chinese natural dyeing, and to enjoy the charm of cultural exchange between Cambodia and China.

The 2024 Cambodia-China People-to-People Exchange Year was inaugurated in January in Siem Reap province with the objective of further strengthening the ties of friendship between the two countries' peoples. Since the beginning of the year, China and Cambodia have engaged in close collaboration, implementing a range of vibrant activities aligned with the Year of Cultural Exchange. These activities span diverse domains, including literature, tourism, media, and health.

AKP