On May 7, 2019, a delegation led by Mr. Pan Sorasak, Minister of Commerce of the Kingdom of Cambodia, visited Shenzhen University (SZU) at the invitation of Prof. Tao Yitao. Prof. Tao is the director of the China Center for Special Economic Zone Research (CCSEZR), Shenzhen University, president of the Belt and Road Research Institute of Shenzhen University and also president of the Belt and Road Research Institute (Shenzhen) for International Cooperation and Development (BRRIICD). Prof. Li Qingquan, President of Shenzhen University, hold a courtesy meeting with H.E. Pan Sorasak and his delegation. Accompanying were Wang Hui, Vice President of Shenzhen University, Tao Yitao, Director of CCSEZR, Shenzhen University, Chen Yong, Dean of Shenzhen University International Exchange College, Gu Wei, Associate Dean of Shenzhen University International Exchange College, and He Yanhui, Director of Shenzhen University Alumni Association Office. Cao Cong, Permanent Secretary of Shenzhen International Exchange and Cooperation Foundation, and representatives of alumni entrepreneurs, Zeng Yuhua and Fan Wenxian met with the Cambodian delegation at the Audencia Business School of Science and Technology Building. Attending the meeting were also dozens of alumni entrepreneurs and teachers and students from SZU.
In the welcome speech, President Li Qingquan welcomed the delegation of the Kingdom of Cambodia and the alumni present. He said that SZU would further deepen collaboration with Cambodia and welcome more Cambodian students to study at SZU.
President Li Qingquan delivers a welcome speech
In order to promote cultural and educational exchanges between the two countries, from January 14 to January 18, 2019, Vice President Wang Hui had led a delegation to Cambodia Cambodia-China Friendship Association and universities to visit and achieved positive results. To further deepen the collaboration between our school and Cambodia, CCSEZR contacted the Commercial Office of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Cambodia in China. After friendly discussion, the Commercial Office hopes to establish a collaboration relationship with our school, implement the talent fostering program of the Lancang-Mekong cooperation, and promote cooperation projects for innovation and entrepreneurship of both sides.
Minister Pan Sorasak is speaking
H.E. Pan Sorasak, Minister of Commerce of the Kingdom of Cambodia, has long been in charge of the important economic and trade activities of the Kingdom of Cambodia. He has personally undertaken and implemented many major projects and plans, and actively promoted Middle East collaboration under the Belt and Road framework. It’s his hope to conduct a face-to-face communication with SZU.
In the speech, Minister Pan Sorasak expressed his gratitude for the warm reception from the leaders of Shenzhen University. And he, on behalf of the Cambodian government and people, sincerely appreciated China’s help in promoting Cambodia's economic development. Also, Mr. Pan Sorasak spoke highly of the concept of deepening reform management and the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Minister Pan Sorasak elaborated on the development of Cambodia. He said that the Cambodian economy had maintained an average growth rate of 7% over the past 10 years, gradually achieving poverty reduction goals and vigorously eliminating social inequalities. In 2015, Cambodia reached the lower meddle-income status. Cambodia has a favorable investment environment that welcomes entrepreneurs from China to look for business opportunities and invest there.
Subsequently, the two sides exchanged souvenirs. President Li Qingquan presented a Shenzhen University plaque to Minister Pan Sorasak and Tao Yitao, Director of the CCSEZR, presented a speech translator developed by a Shenzhen University Alumni High-tech Enterprise to Mr. Pan Sorasak.
President Li Qingquan presents a university plaque to Minister Pan Sorasak
Prof. Tao Yitao presents a speech translator to Minister Pan Sorasak
Group photo
The meeting was hosted by Prof. Tao Yitao, Director of CCSEZR. She said that not long ago, as the vice chairman of the Shenzhen International Exchange Foundation, she led a group of young alumni entrepreneurs of Shenzhen University to visit Cambodia for a charity trip under the framework of the Lancang-Mekong cooperation. During her visit to Cambodia, she received a warm reception from Minister Pan Sorasak, and she would like to express her gratitude towards him again. At the symposium, Long Kemvichet, Deputy Director of General Department of International Trade, Ministry of Commerce, introduced the investment opportunities and preferential policies of Cambodia in eight parts: 1. The status quo on the economy of Cambodia. 2. Cambodia's trading partners. 3. Cambodia's investment environment. 4. Why invest in Cambodia. 5. Cambodia's industrial development policy during 2015-2025. 6. Cambodia's special economic zones. 7. Cambodia's rectangular strategy. 8. Cambodia's trade integration strategy during 2013-2019.
After listening to the detailed introduction of Deputy Director Long Kemvichet, entrepreneur representatives actively asked questions, hoping to learn more about the preferential policies for investment in Cambodia more accurately. Minister Pan Sorasak gave answers to entrepreneurs and eagerly welcomed Chinese entrepreneurs to invest in Cambodia. The friendly and heated atmosphere of the symposium not only demonstrates the friendship between China and Cambodia, but also reflects the good wishes of two sides in prospering together and jointly creating a close-knit community of shared future.
Finally, Prof. Tao Yitao, Director of CCSEZR, once again expressed her gratitude to Minister Pan Sorasak for his arrival. She said: “The Belt and Road Research Institute (Shenzhen) for International Cooperation and Development will set up bridges and platforms for entrepreneurs to go out. And Cambodia will be our first stop. This is a beautiful beginning and we look forward to the same beautiful and happy future.”The construction of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area will help build the Belt and Road Initiative which will bring shared development opportunities for China and Cambodia.
Prof. Tao Yitao presides over the meeting
Deputy Director Long Kemvichet is speaking
Q&A session
Group photo of Minister Pan Sorasak and Prof. Tao Yitao
