At a bilateral meeting between Preah Sihanouk province and a delegation of China’s Ministry of Public Security on Friday, the latter committed to educate its nationals to strictly respect Cambodian laws.

Provincial administration spokesman Kheang Phearum said on Monday that during the meeting, the administration highlighted the surge in development and some ongoing problems associated with it.

“The Chinese delegation promised to continue educating its Chinese investors who arrived to conduct business in the province to follow our laws to the letter,” he told The Post.

During the meeting, provincial governor Kuoch Chamroeun said that under the leaderships of Chinese president Xi Jinping – with China’s Belt and Road Initiative – and Prime Minster Hun Sen – with his Rectangular Strategy – the two countries had improved relations and increased the volume of mutual trade.

He said the influx of Chinese investors had boosted the provincial economy over the past two years and transformed Sihanoukville.

But Chamroeun said that with so many high-rise buildings, rubbish and sewage had become a problem and the transportation of construction materials and other goods had increased dramatically and damaged roads.

“The provincial administration is obliged to solve the sewage problem and supply enough electricity to meet the additional demands of rapid growth.

“The influx of investors has greatly contributed to us having the possibility to generate increased income and taxation. National and sub-national budget income is on the rise. Meanwhile, our security forces must have the capacity to enforce the law more effectively,” he said.

During the meeting, Liao Jinrong, the director-general of the International Cooperation Department of China’s Ministry of Public Security, said China and Cambodia had enjoyed lasting cooperation, friendship and solidarity – better than almost anywhere in the world.

He said Xi met with Hun Sen for talks in February every year and when the prime minister visited China this year, joint law enforcement was discussed.

“We will continue to educate Chinese nationals to obey the law. We hope the economy in the province has increased and residents have even better livelihoods in the future,” Jinrong said.

More than 500 Chinese nationals have been deported this year.