SEA Games 32 and the future that awaits Cambodia

The image of Cambodian Taekwondo athlete Sorn Seavmey flying with the torch and lighting the cauldron at Morodok Techo Stadium during the opening ceremony of the 32nd SEA Games is somewhat reminiscent of the image of Chinese gymnast Li Ning holding the torch flying in the air around the Bird's Nest Stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The Olympic opening ceremony, considered the most magnificent in history, officially introduced to the world a modern China after decades of "closure".

Image of Cambodian Taekwondo athlete Sorn Seavmey holding the torch and lighting the cauldron at Morodok Techo Stadium during the opening ceremony of the 32nd SEA Games

From SEA Games…

Large-scale sporting events are always a great opportunity for host countries to introduce their image to the world, enhance the country's position, and Cambodia is no exception. This is the first time the country has hosted a regional-scale sports event, marking the image of a Cambodia emerging from the pain of the past, developing rapidly and moving towards peace and prosperity.

The message from the official song "Cambodian Proud" of the 32nd SEA Games has shown the determination of the host country. Cambodia aims to not only succeed in sports but also show national pride, develop tourism, and promote the country's traditional customs and culture globally.

Cambodia held a grand opening ceremony of the 32nd SEA Games, shining at the $160 million stadium

Ten years after winning the right to host the SEA Games, Cambodia has focused its resources on building transport infrastructure, hospitals and a series of necessary projects. And to mark this important milestone, Cambodia even made an unprecedented decision to waive accommodation costs for athletes, free entrance tickets for fans as well as completely free television rights. This decision has put Cambodia's name in the history of the Southeast Asian Games.

Not stopping there, Cambodia also wants to "organize the most wonderful opening ceremony ever, at Olympic level, which no country in the region has ever done" as the Secretary General of the National Organizing Committee of the 32nd SEA Games Vath Chamroeun shared before the event. What happened at the $160 million Morodok Techo Stadium in the capital Phnom Penh on the evening of May 5 proved his statement.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen at the opening ceremony of the 32nd SEA Games

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen stressed that the country has prepared in every way to bring a successful SEA Games, thereby demonstrating the country's remarkable development. The final chapter of the opening ceremony, titled "The Future of the Khmer People", is an affirmation to the world that Cambodia is ready to take control of its own destiny.

…to the economy

Back in the 1980s, when Cambodia had just defeated the Khmer Rouge with the help of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers, Phnom Penh was a city in ruins, literally. Now, more than 40 years later, the capital of the country of pagodas is full of life with a network of high-rise buildings, hundreds of real estate projects springing up and a modern international airport under construction.

According to data from the World Bank, Cambodia has made remarkable economic progress in the first two decades of the 21st century. The economy grew at an average annual rate of 7.7% (1998-2019), making it one of the fastest growing emerging economies in the world. After reaching lower-middle-income status in 2015, Cambodia aims to become an upper-middle-income country by 2030 and a developed country by 2050.

Overview of SEA Games 32 on May 5: Magnificent opening ceremony

In January 2021, Cambodia announced its Economic Diplomacy Strategy for 2021-2023, expressing its ambition to integrate more deeply into regional and global trading systems, encourage investment, and promote cultural exchange. Instead of relying on foreign aid and export-oriented manufacturing industries such as textiles and garments, growth drivers have begun to shift to services such as tourism. Newly signed free trade agreements and FDI inflows are expected to bring a strong increase in investment in transport infrastructure such as seaports and roads.

Morodok Techo National Stadium

Diversifying the economy requires the government to promote entrepreneurship, increase the application of technology and develop high-quality human resources to meet the needs of the labor market. The Cambodian education sector is implementing a series of reforms in examinations, education programs, and policies for teachers with the desire to improve the qualifications of students at all levels. Having somewhat missed the "train" of the Industrial Revolution 4.0, Cambodia realizes that it cannot afford to miss any more opportunities on the journey to becoming a developed country.

and politics

On the official website of the 32nd SEA Games, the host country explained that the slogan "Sport: Live In Peace" was inspired by the Cambodian people who enjoy peace and stability every day. More than anyone else, the neighboring country understands the consequences of war and that peace is a prerequisite for all progress.

The resolution of the extraordinary congress of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) held in January affirmed that strategic plans still focus on protecting peace and sovereignty; building a prosperous country and sustainable economic growth. In the context of an uncertain multipolar world, Cambodia still persists with an independent, multilateral foreign policy, supporting the maintenance of international law; building friendly relations and good cooperation with other countries; participating in maintaining security and stability in the region and the world.

The upcoming National Assembly election on July 23 is considered an extremely important event for the ruling CPP Party. The election is expected to mark the generational transition between CPP leaders from those who restored the country to a new generation of younger leaders who are capable of taking on the responsibility and moving the country forward in a competitive context.

Prime Minister Hun Sen signaled in March that he would retire from politics. This was a somewhat surprising decision, as he had previously announced that he would stay in power until 2028. General Hun Manet, Hun Sen’s son, who was promoted to the rank of general on April 20, is expected to take on important responsibilities in the future when nominated by the CPP. A stable political environment and a successful SEA Games will be extremely important factors for the CPP to assert its strength and help the generational transition go smoothly.

For the common destiny

Joining ASEAN in 1999, Cambodia is the "youngest" official member of the bloc. 2022, the year Cambodia holds the ASEAN Chairmanship for the third time, is considered the most challenging time for ASEAN when Covid-19 is still present, US-China competition is increasing and the Russia-Ukraine conflict has broken out. Cambodia has successfully fulfilled its role, promoting solidarity and unity within the bloc, strengthening ASEAN's role in the region and globally. In addition, Cambodia has made efforts to bring Timor Leste, in principle, to become a member of ASEAN. The slogan "One Community, One Destiny" continued to be emphasized by Cambodia in the concluding part of the art program opening the 32nd SEA Games.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/sea-games-32-va-tuong-lai-don-cho-campuchia-185230507154031223.htm