PHNOM PENH — Cambodia on Tuesday commended the China Foundation for Peace and Development, or CFPD, for its significant contribution to poverty alleviation in the Southeast Asian country.

In a message marking the fifth anniversary of the CFPD Office in Cambodia, Samdech Techo Hun Sen, president of Cambodia's Senate, said the Chinese foundation has made a contribution to strengthening unity, friendship and cooperation between the civil societies of the two countries.

"I highly appreciate the achievements made over the past five years by the China Foundation for Peace and Development Cambodia Office, under its close cooperation with the Civil Society Alliance Forum, in contributing to the benefit and meeting the real needs of the Cambodian people at grassroots level," he said.

Hun Sen said that examples included the Cambodia-China Friendship Village Project for Poverty Alleviation, which helps improve the living standards of people in Tanorn village in southern Takeo Province's Bati district, and CFPD's participation in combating the spread of COVID-19 in 2020.

"On this occasion, I wish the China Foundation for Peace and Development continued success in its noble mission for the peace and development of humanity, especially in contributing to building the shared future community of Cambodia and China," he said.

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Cabinet Minister Vongsey Visoth said close cooperation between Chinese and Cambodian NGOs has contributed to building a high-quality, high-level, and high-standard Cambodia-China community with a shared future.

He said the CFPD-funded poverty alleviation project in Tanorn has turned it into a beautiful and green village, with infrastructure such as roads, clean water facilities, solar power, health centers and schools in place.

"The CFPD has played an important role in connecting the hearts of our two peoples, as well as contributed to improving the livelihoods and well-being of the Cambodian people," he said during the celebration of the CFPD Cambodia Office's fifth anniversary in Phnom Penh.

"I would like to congratulate Tanorn villagers, teachers, students and the whole community on receiving direct benefits from this project."

Meanwhile, Visoth noted that the synergy between China's Belt and Road Initiative and Cambodia's Pentagonal Strategy-Phase I will inject stronger impetus into the cooperation in economy, trade, investment, tourism and education between the two countries.

Neak Chandarith, director of the Cambodia 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Research Center, said the CFPD has played a vital role in supporting important joint projects and initiatives that have benefited the Cambodian people.

"The continued Chinese commitment to this endeavor is a testament to the strength of our bilateral partnership," he said.