Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen right sits down with Heng Samrin in the left, Cambodia's National Assembly President, during the 71st anniversary celebration of the Cambodian People's Party in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, June 28, 2022. HENG SINITH AP PHNOM PENH -- The ruling Cambodian People's Party on Tuesday marked the 71st anniversary of its birth, vowing to protect peace and political stability for sustainable socio-economic development in the Southeast Asian country.
CPP President and Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said in an address to thousands of party members at the CPP headquarters in Phnom Penh that Cambodia has gone through many stages of pride and difficulty over the past 71 years.
He said that the CPP remains committed to its purpose and ideals of building and defending an independent, peaceful, free, democratic, neutral and progressive Cambodia no matter what the circumstances.
He said that the CPP and the Cambodian people must absolutely protect peace, political stability and national security, which are essential conditions to ensure the peaceful life of the people with freedom, honor and dignity, and sustainable socio-economic development.
Hun Sen said the party continued to move forward on the path of liberal democracy, pluralism and the rule of law in line with the context of Cambodian society and fully responds to the aspirations of the people.
The party thwarts actions from whatever sources they may be that attempt to push Cambodia off this path or to suppress Cambodia's sovereignty, he said.
The CPP has been in charge of the Southeast Asian country since 1979.
The celebration took place as the COVID 19 pandemic waned and the kingdom resumed all socio-economic activities and reopened its borders last November, according to Hun Sen.
He said that we firmly believe that we will be able to overcome the economic and social consequences of COVID - 19, even though the disease has not yet disappeared from the face of the earth.
Cambodia has reported no new COVID 19 cases for nearly two months and no active cases since June 7.
Hun Sen said that Cambodia's economy returned to positive growth in 2021 and is expected to improve further in 2022 and 2023.