The ceremony was presided over by President of CPP and Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen and CPP Honorary President and President of the Cambodian National Assembly Samdech Heng Samrin.

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President of CPP and Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen delivering a speech at the ceremony 

Addressing the event, CPP President and PM Hun Sen said the historic January 7 Victory saved the lives of millions of Cambodian people from the killings of brutal Pol Pot regime and opened a new era of independence, freedom, democracy, and development for Cambodia.

The event aims to express the supreme gratitude towards the heroic soldiers of the National United Front for Salvation of Cambodia and Vietnamese volunteer troops who sacrificed their flesh and blood in the fight to overthrow the Pol Pot and defense of Cambodia and its people’s survivals, he added.

He went on to note that 39 years after the victory, Cambodian people’s living standards have improved significantly with the income per capita rising from USD 1,042 in 2013 to USD 1,435 in 2017. The poverty rate declined from 53.5 percent in 2004 to 13.5 percent in 2014 and continued dropping the following years. The country has maintained an annual economic growth of about 7 percent.

Hun Sen affirmed Cambodia will continue to maintain and develop a democracy based on the rule of law and national interests and will not accept external intervention and pressure under the guise of democracy and human rights.

He also said that CPP will continue to pursue planned reforms, strengthen law enforcement and ensure social justice to satisfy the people’s aspiration. He called on all Cambodian people to stay united for the country’s peace and development.

The event was attended by Ambassador of Vietnam to Cambodia Vu Quang Minh, and representatives from the diplomatic corps, international organizations, and people from all walks of life in Cambodia.

Source: VNA