17-9-2023 (PHNOM PENH) Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, speaking on Sunday, underscored the pivotal role of global trade and issued a stern warning against its weaponization.
Addressing the audience during the opening ceremony of the 20th China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, the capital of south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Hun Manet stressed, “Trade must not be wielded as a weapon that undermines global economic security.”
In his remarks, the Prime Minister acknowledged the emergence of new challenges confronting the world, including the surge in commodity prices, concerns regarding food security, and the ever-pressing issue of climate change, as the pandemic gradually recedes. He placed great emphasis on “the significant role of trade in addressing these global challenges, with the aim of ensuring that interdependence and globalization work to the mutual advantage of all.”
Prime Minister Hun Manet also highlighted the central role played by ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and China in this context.
“We have the opportunity to set an example for the world by demonstrating the tangible benefits of enhancing multilateral cooperation—without veering towards protectionist measures, unilateralism, or economic nationalism,” he asserted.
