Phnom penh: Cambodia and China have jointly hosted a gala night in Phnom Penh to celebrate the 2026 Chinese Lunar New Year, marking not only a major cultural festival of the Chinese people but also the deep-rooted friendship and people-to-people bonds between the two countries.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, speaking at the event, H.E. Ek Sam Ol, Member of the Supreme Privy Council to His Majesty the King and President of the Cambodia-China Friendship Association, said the celebration symbolised the strong and heartfelt connection between the peoples of Cambodia and China. He noted that under the guidance of the top leaders of both countries, the bilateral relations have been elevated to an all-weather Cambodia-China community with a shared future in the new era.

H.E. Ek Sam Ol made the remarks while presiding over the gala night, which was attended by a large number of Cambodian and Chinese youth, along with distinguished guests, at the Cambodia-China Friendship Association in Phnom Penh on Feb. 16. He added that the event served as a valuable platform for cultural exchange, mutual understanding, and the strengthening of friendship between the Cambodia-China Friendship Association and Cambodia-China Friendship Radio, further deepening people-to-people connectivity.

Dr. Chea Munyrith, President of the Cambodia Chinese Evolution Researcher Association (CCERA), highlighted that following the inscription of the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on Dec. 4, 2024, the nearly 4,000-year-old festival has gained even broader global recognition and contributed to strengthening the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Meanwhile, Ms. Zhang Yanping, representative of Cambodia-China Friendship Radio, said the gala night went beyond a festive celebration, conveying hope for the New Year and reaffirming the shared commitment of participants to continue working together to advance the all-weather Cambodia-China community with a shared future in the new era.

The event also featured a live multimedia presentation showcasing artistic performances enhanced by 8K and AI technologies, as well as the promotion of content in 85 languages, reflecting the long-standing efforts of China Media Group since 1983. In addition, guests took part in traditional activities such as making dumplings and other cultural performances in a joyful and festive atmosphere.