Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Cambodia celebrates 68th independence anniversary

Cambodia celebrates 68th independence anniversary

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
King Norodom Sihamoni (front, centre-left), political leaders and chief monks celebrate Independence Day on Tuesday, November 9, at the Independence Monument in the capital. Hong Menea

Cambodia celebrates 68th independence anniversary

The Kingdom on November 9 celebrated the 68th anniversary of the country’s independence from French colonial rule under the leadership of the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk in 1953.

The official celebrations took place at the Independence Monument and the Statue of the late King Father in central Phnom Penh.

King Norodom Sihamoni, Prime Minister Hun Sen, Senate President Say Chhum, National Assembly (NA) President Heng Samrin, Minister of Interior Sar Kheng, Minister of National Defence Tea Banh and other national and foreign dignitaries as well as representatives from the private sector and civil society were all present for the event.

“National Independence Day, November 9, reminds us all about the royal mission of King Father Norodom Sihanouk – the struggle which he undertook for the sake of the motherland and to which he devoted himself both physically and mentally to achieving – the demand for real independence for the nation of Cambodia,” Hun Sen wrote in a Facebook post, also noting that November 9 marks the 68th anniversary of the establishment of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also extended his congratulations to Cambodia on the 68th anniversary, according to a press release from the US Department of State on November 8.

“The United States looks forward to working together with Cambodia as the next ASEAN Chair to maintain peace and security through strong leadership on sustainable development in the Indo-Pacific region.

“We will continue to stand with the Cambodian people as they pursue a more prosperous, democratic and independent future and as they celebrate the values both Cambodians and Americans share,” Blinken said in the press statement, adding that the US also looked forward to working with Cambodia to “build back better” in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Officials attend the commemoration of Independence Day on Tuesday. Hong Menea

The UN in Cambodia also commemorated the event. “[We] sincerely congratulate the Kingdom of Cambodia on its Independence Day. On this occasion, we wish peace and prosperity to all Cambodian people.”
Hun Many, a National Assembly member representing Kampong Speu province, said Cambodians will honour and exemplify the bravery of the late King Father by protecting the country from foreign interference and preventing the nation from being sabotaged by any means necessary.

Former opposition leader Kem Sokha also sent out a short congratulatory message saying “national unity brings national independence”.

The Grassroots Democracy Party (GDP) also issued a statement to commemorate the day. It said history has shown that ever since Cambodia gained independence in 1953, national unity and solidarity were the backbone maintaining its independence and sovereignty.

“However, national unity and solidarity does not mean that people and politicians with a tendency towards different views must always mobilise under the leadership of the same party or movement and if that is always the case then it will not help Cambodians live together wholly in peace,” the GDP statement said.

Political analyst Lao Mong Hay said that given the nation’s history, everyone should view this holiday’s existence and Cambodia’s continued independence as an extraordinary thing which all Cambodian people – and especially politicians – should defend with similarly tremendous efforts to further strengthen the nation’s independence.

MOST VIEWED

  • 12th Cambodia int’l film festival to see return of Hollywood star

    Phnom Penh is set to come alive with the magic of cinema as the highly anticipated 12th Cambodia International Film Festival (CIFF) takes centre stage. Boasting an impressive line-up of 188 films from 23 countries, including captivating shorts, feature films, documentaries and animation, the festival promises an

  • Bareknuckle champion wants Kun Khmer fighter

    Dave Leduc, who is the current openweight Lethwei boxing champion in Myanmar, has announced that he will travel to Cambodia this year to challenge SEA Games gold medallist Prum Samnang any time that is convenient, after their planned match later this month in Slovakia was

  • Struggling Battambang artist dreams of staging full-scale gallery exhibition

    Leav Kimchhoth, a 55-year-old artist from Battambang province, is a familiar face to locals and tourists alike on the streets of the riverside in Phnom Penh. The one-armed painter and illustrator often hawks his work near the night market on weekends and public holidays. He

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • 1.4 billion dollar Phnom Penh-Bavet expressway due in four years

    The Government, through the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, has officially signed a public-private partnership agreement with a private company for the construction of a Phnom Penh-Bavet Expressway project that will connect the capital to Svay Rieng province. The budget for the project is

  • New Law on Taxation comes into effect

    Cambodia has enacted the eagerly-awaited new Law on Taxation, which aims to improve the national tax regime’s compliance with present and future international standards and economic conditions; encourage accountability, effectiveness and transparency in the collection process; and promote investment in the Kingdom. King Norodom