Cambodia attracts over 2 mln foreign tourists in first half

English.news.cn   2013-08-03 14:41:40

PHNOM PENH, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia received 2.09 million international visitors in the first six months of the year, up 19 percent compared with the 1.75 million tourists over the same period last year, figures from the ministry of tourism showed Saturday.
During the January-June period of this year, Vietnam still topped the list among the 10 countries that sent the most visitors to Cambodia, followed by South Korea, China, Laos and Thailand.
About 48 percent of the visitors travelled to Cambodia by air, 49 percent by land and the rest by waterborne traffic.
Tourism is one of the sectors supporting the economy in this impoverished Southeast Asian nation. Last year, the country received some 3.5 million foreigners, earning more than 2 billion U.S. dollars.
Tourism Minister Thong Khon told Xinhua that the sector was expected to greet 4 million foreign tourists this year, a 12 percent rise year-on-year.
He said the general election on Sunday last week did not affect tourists thanks to the country's full security and sound political stability.
Cambodia is well-known for its 12th century Angkor Wat Temple, a world heritage site, which is situated about 315 kilometers northwest of Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia.
The temple received up to 1.12 million foreign tourists in the first half of this year, up 6 percent year-on-year.
In addition, the country has a pristine coastline, which boasts one of the world's most beautiful bays. It stretches in the length of 450 kilometers through four provinces of Koh Kong, Preah Sihanouk, Kampot and Kep.

Editor: Fu Peng

Cambodia to set up vote investigation committee

English.news.cn   2013-08-03 13:19:40

PHNOM PENH, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The National Election Committee (NEC), the ruling party and the opposition party on Saturday agreed in principle to establish a joint investigation committee into alleged irregularities during Sunday's general election.
The agreement in principle was made during a trilateral meeting, which was attended by NEC's chairman Im Suosdey, Secretary of State for Interior Prum Sokha, representative of the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP), and former lawmaker Kuoy Bunroeun, representative of the main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP).
"We have agreed to form a joint committee comprising the NEC, the CPP and CNRP in order to investigate the alleged irregularities during the poll," Tep Nytha, NEC's Secretary General, told reporters after the meeting, "the joint committee will be established as soon as possible."
He said all national and international observers would be allowed to monitor the investigation process.
"It is a good decision that can be acceptable to all sides and all voters," he said.
Kuoy Bunroeun confirmed to reporters after the meeting that the joint committee would be set up very soon to investigate vote irregularities on Sunday last week.
The initial election results showed that the CPP of longtime Prime Minister Hun Sen won 68 parliamentary seats and the CNRP of recently-pardoned leader Sam Rainsy got the remaining 55 seats.
The soon-to-be-formed committee came after Sam Rainsy announced Monday that the party did not recognize the results of Sunday poll, claiming widespread fraud, and called for the NEC to establish a joint committee to investigate irregularities.
Sam Rainsy claimed that about 1.3 million voters were unable to vote because their names were not on the voter lists.
In addition, he claimed that there were about 1 million ghost names on the voter lists and about 200,000 duplicate names.
Prime Minister Hun Sen said Friday that his government and party will welcome the joint committee, which allows the participation from political parties, national and international NGOs in order to look into the alleged irregularities.
"This is a positive way to solve the remaining issues and to show transparency and find a solution that can be acceptable to all sides," the premier said.
Hun Sen, who has been in power for 28 years, will extend his power by another five years due to Sunday's victory.
Despite its victory, the overall result in last Sunday's voting was a blow to the ruling CPP as it was able to get only 68 seats, a big drop from the 90 seats it got in the 2008 election.
In Sunday's election, the opposition CNRP showed a dramatic rise in the voters' support by winning 55 seats, up from just 29 seats in 2008.

Editor: Fu Peng

News Analysis: Cambodia's ruling party can still form government even if opposition boycotts new parliament opening

English.news.cn   2013-08-02 23:32:59

by Nguon Sovan
PHNOM PENH, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- The ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) can still form a new government even if the opposition party boycotts the opening ceremony of the new National Assembly, Chheang Von, a senior member of the CPP, said Friday.
The CPP, led by long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen, won the absolute majority with 68 parliamentary seats in Sunday's election while the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) headed by recently-pardoned leader Sam Rainsy got the remaining 55 seats, according to the initial unofficial results.
"According to the constitution, a new government will be formed by a 50 percent plus one majority in the new National Assembly," Chheang Von, chairman of the parliament's foreign affairs commission, told Xinhua in an interview.
He said that incumbent Prime Minister Hun Sen will serve as prime minister for a new five-year term.
Some political analysts here said that the opening of the new parliament needs a quorum of at least 120 out of the 123 elected lawmakers. They said that a new government will probably be delayed if the opposition lawmakers boycott the opening of the new National Assembly.
"The opening of a new parliament will be presided over by His Majesty Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia, and there is no quorum limitation," Chheang Von said.
"Soon after the official election results are released, the new parliament will be opened even if the opposition refuses to recognize it."
Chheang Von explained that according to the constitution, the National Assembly would consist of at least 120 members.
"The number of at least 120 lawmakers is the size of the National Assembly and does not mean that at least 120 members are required to attend the opening ceremony of the new parliament," he said, stressing that the parliament needs a quorum only for the passage of laws and adopting constitutional amendments and not for the opening of the new parliament.
According to the law, he said, after the opening ceremony of the new parliament, the first parliamentary session, led by a dean, will be held with the quorum of 50 percent plus one majority in order to decide on the validity of the assumption of the elected lawmakers and to vote for the establishment of the new government.
"If some lawmakers fail to show up in the first parliamentary session, it means that they have decided to abandon their seats," Chheang Von said.
The constitution provides that a new National Assembly will be established not later than 60 days after the election.
According to Chheang Von, it would be impossible for the ruling CPP to form a coalition government with the opposition party because it is contrary to the democratic principle that requires an opposition party aside from the governing party.
Opposition leader Sam Rainsy refused to recognize the results of Sunday polls, claiming widespread fraud.
He has formally submitted a petition with the National Election Committee (NEC) demanding for the creation of an independent committee to investigate alleged irregularities during the election.
Rainsy, however, has not announced that his party will boycott the opening session of the National Assembly.
Hun Sen said Wednesday that the government and the CPP will welcome any NEC mechanism that would allow the participation of political parties and non-governmental organizations in solving election-related problems.
"I think this is a positive way to solve the remaining issues and to show transparency and find a solution that can be acceptable to all sides," the premier said.
So far, the NEC has not made any official decision in response to the opposition's request for the independent committee to look into the alleged irregularities.
Hun Sen, who has been in power for 28 years, will serve for another five years after his party's victory in Sunday's polls.
Despite its victory, the overall result in last Sunday's voting was a blow to the ruling CPP as it was able to get only 68 seats, a big drop from the 90 seats that it got in the 2008 election.
In Sunday's election, the opposition CNRP showed a dramatic rise in the people's support by winning 55 seats, up from just 29 seats in 2008.

Editor: Mu Xuequan

Chinese Premier congratulates Cambodian PM for poll victory

PHNOM PENH, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has expressed his congratulations to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on the victory of his Cambodian People's Party in Sunday's general election.
"I have the pleasure to extend my warm congratulations to the victory of your Cambodian People's Party once again in the fifth Cambodian national election recently," he said in a congratulatory message to Hun Sen late Thursday, which was released by Cambodia's Foreign Ministry on Friday.
Li said under Hun Sen's leadership, Cambodia has achieved remarkable accomplishments in national development, which have been widely praised by the Cambodian people and the international community.
"The Chinese side will continue to support Cambodia to keep to the road that suits Cambodia's reality, and support Cambodia's unswerving effort for national stability and development," he said.
China and Cambodia are good neighbors, partners, friends and brothers, Li said, adding that the Chinese side attaches great importance to strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Cooperation with Cambodia.
"I am fully convinced that, with our joint endeavor, the China- Cambodia relations will certainly step up to a new height," he said.
"I look forward to meeting you in the China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning next month so as to have an in-depth exchange of views with you on how to further deepen cooperation between China and Cambodia."
Besides Chinese Premier, Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina, Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, and Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong had extended their congratulations to Hun Sen on the occasion of the poll win.
The Cambodian People's Party of long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen claimed the victory with 68 parliamentary seats in the Sunday election and the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party of recently-pardoned leader Sam Rainsy got the remaining 55 seats, according to the initial unofficial results.
However, the results were rejected by Sam Rainsy, who claimed serious irregularities and called for the National Election Committee (NEC) to establish an independent committee to look into the alleged irregularities.
Hun Sen said on Friday that his government and party would welcome any existing NEC mechanism, which allows the participation from political parties, national and international NGOs, and United Nations experts in order to look into the alleged irregularities.
Hun Sen, who has been in power for 28 years, will extend his power by another five years following Sunday's victory.

Cambodian PM urges people not to join any post-poll protests

English.news.cn   2013-08-02 18:58:35

PHNOM PENH, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Friday appealed to all people not to take part in any protests that could be organized by the opposition party against the results of Sunday's general election.
"I would like to appeal to people to think about themselves. Protests will lead to social troubles such as thefts, robberies, and unemployment," the premier said when he visited some farmers in southern Kandal province.
The premier said the opposition party has its supporters to protest against the election results, while his ruling party also has supporters to rally in support of the results.
"You have threatened to protest a few times a day, have you thought about the rights of the others?" Hun Sen asked. "We have the same rights."
The premier urged people to focus on their daily lives, rather than protests.
"The election is over, I'd like to appeal to all people with all political tendencies to make friends with each other, don't discriminate against each other," he said. "Politicians have disputes with each other, but finally, they will sit together in parliament."
The Cambodian People's Party of long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen claimed the victory with 68 parliamentary seats in Sunday election and the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) of recently-pardoned leader Sam Rainsy got the remaining 55 seats, the initial unofficial results showed.
However, Sam Rainsy rejected the results, claiming serious irregularities and called for the National Election Committee to establish an independent committee to look into the alleged irregularities.
Sam Rainsy has also threatened to launch nationwide protests if his demand is not met.
Hun Sen reiterated Friday that his ruling party was ready to talk with the opposition party towards the establishment of the new parliament's apparatus.
Hun Sen, who has been in power for 28 years, will stretch his power by another five years following Sunday's victory.

Editor: Lu Hui

Cambodian PM slams U.S. lawmakers for threatening to cut aid

English.news.cn   2013-08-02 17:15:31

PHNOM PENH, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Friday lashed out at some U.S. lawmakers for urging U.S. government to cut off aid to Cambodia and said they may do it if they wish.
"If you are brave enough, you cut it. Don't talk too much," Hun Sen said referring to a U.S. hearing early on July 9 that representative Steve Chabot, who heads the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on East Asia, introduced legislation to cut assistance to Cambodia if the country's general election, held on July 28, was not free and fair.
"I urge you to cut it. You said as if we need very much the 50 million U.S. dollars (a year)," the premier said when he visited some farmers in southern Kandal province. "We have never got even a penny from this aid."
Hun Sen said that the fund usually goes to U.S.-backed NGOs and health-related projects. So if they cut the aid, NGO staff would be affected, not the government of Cambodia.
However, the premier said that the calls were made by only a few U.S. lawmakers, not represented the voice of U.S. President Barack Obama's administration, or the voice of the whole U.S. congress and citizens.
Cambodia held its fifth general election last Sunday.
The Cambodian People's Party of long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen won 68 parliamentary seats and the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) of recently-pardoned leader Sam Rainsy got the remaining 55 seats, according to the initial unofficial results.
But the opposition party did not recognize the results, claiming widespread fraud, and submitted a request to the National Election Committee (NEC) to demand for the establishment of an independent committee to investigate irregularities during the election.
Hun Sen said that the government and the CPP will welcome any existing NEC mechanism, which allows the participation from political parties, national and international NGOs, and United Nations experts in order to look into the alleged irregularities.
Hun Sen, who has been in power for 28 years, will extend his power by another five years following Sunday's victory.
Despite winning the victory in the poll, the results are a blow to the ruling CPP as its seats has dropped from 90 in 2008 election to 68 in the Sunday poll, while the opposition CNRP's seats have seen a dramatic rise from 29 seats to 55 seats.

Editor: Hou Qiang

No deadlock for upcoming new parliament, government: Cambodian PM

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (L, front) visits farmers in southern Kandal province, Cambodia, Aug. 2, 2013. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Friday that there will be no political deadlock for the establishment of the upcoming new parliament and government. (Xinhua/Sovannara) Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (4th L) helps to plant rice seedlings for farmers in southern Kandal province, Cambodia, Aug. 2, 2013. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Friday that there will be no political deadlock for the establishment of the upcoming new parliament and government. (Xinhua/Sovannara)

English.news.cn   2013-08-02 15:58:57

PHNOM PENH, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Friday that there will be no political deadlock for the establishment of the upcoming new parliament and government.
"According to the constitution, a new government will be formed by a 50-percent plus one majority, or 63 lawmakers, in the new National Assembly," he said when he visited some farmers in southern Kandal province.
He said his Cambodian People's Party (CPP) won an absolute majority vote in the Sunday election.
The CPP won 68 parliamentary seats in the poll and the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) of recently- pardoned leader Sam Rainsy got the remaining 55 seats, according to the initial unofficial results.
"There will no deadlock for the new parliament and new government," he said."I will be the prime minister for the fifth five-year term government."
The premier said a new National Assembly will be convened by His Majesty Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia, no later than 60 days after the election.
"Any political parties do not attend the opening session of the new parliament, it means that they are against the King and abandon their parliamentary seats, so their seats will be given to other parties that have seats in parliament," he said.
His remarks came after some political analysts said that the opening of the new parliament needs a quorum of at least 120 out of the 123 elected lawmakers, and they commented that a new government will probably be delayed if the opposition lawmakers boycott the opening of the new National Assembly.
Hun Sen said that the parliament needs two-thirds majority, or 83 lawmakers, only for the amendment of constitution or the passage of NGO law, or the strip of lawmaker's immunity.
Under the constitution, the National Assembly consists of at least 120 members.
He said the number of at least 120 lawmakers is the size of the National Assembly, which does not mean that at least 120 members are required to attend the opening ceremony of the new parliament.
Meanwhile, the premier called for unity and solidarity among Cambodian people after the poll.
"The election is over, I'd like to appeal to all people with all political tendencies to make friends with each other, don't discriminate against each other," he said. "Politicians have disputes with each other, but finally, they will sit together in parliament."
Opposition party leader Sam Rainsy announced Monday that the party did not recognize the results of the Sunday poll, claiming widespread fraud, and submitted a request to the National Election Committee (NEC) to demand for the establishment of an independent committee to investigate irregularities during the election.
It is unknown if the opposition party will boycott the upcoming National Assembly session.
Hun Sen said that the government and the CPP will welcome any existing NEC mechanism, which allows the participation from political parties, national and international NGOs, and UN experts in order to look into the alleged irregularities.
Hun Sen, who has been in power for 28 years, will extend his power by another five years following Sunday's victory.
Despite winning the victory in the election, the results are a blow to the ruling CPP as its seats has dropped from 90 in the election in 2008 to 68 in the Sunday poll, while the opposition CNRP's seats have seen a dramatic rise from 29 seats to 55 seats.

Editor: Hou Qiang