The US Embassy in Phnom Penh and Ambassador W Patrick Murphy – with guest of honour Minister of Commerce Pan Sorasak – celebrated the 244th American Independence Day and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of official US-Cambodia relations at Raffles Le Royal on Wednesday night. In a smaller than usual gathering due to the social-distancing measures in place, Murphy was joined by fellow ambassadors and representatives from 19 other nations, as well as members of the American Chamber of Commerce, in marking the milestones. Murphy hailed the 70 years since the opening of American ties with the Kingdom in July 1950, when US envoy Donald R Heath presented his credentials to King Norodom Sihanouk in the very same hotel, three years before Cambodia gained its own independence. “As it was 70 years ago, Americans are committed to a healthy, prosperous, independent Cambodia. A prosperous, independent and democratic Cambodia is good for the region, the world and our enduring friendship,” he said. Photos by Joe Curtin