The event was chaired by General Tea Seiha, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of Cambodia, with the participation of numerous delegates from central and local agencies, military units, and international guests.

Speaking at the event, General Tea Seiha emphasized the significance and purpose of the commemoration. Stressing its historical importance, he stated that without the beginning of the journey to overthrow the Pol Pot regime in 1977 and related events, Cambodia would not have the peace and development it enjoys today.

On that note, General Tea Seiha expressed his gratitude to international friends who supported Cambodia’s struggle, especially Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts. He highly valued the growing traditional solidarity and friendship, the historical relationship, and close cooperation between Cambodia and Vietnam, based on the motto of “good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term sustainability.”

He expressed belief that following this event, both countries would further enhance their friendship and cooperation in all areas, particularly by resolving outstanding border issues and turning the shared border into an area of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development.

The Cambodian Deputy PM noted that in early July, the two countries would hold the Cambodia–Vietnam, Vietnam–Cambodia Joint Border Committee (JBC) Chairpersons’ Meeting to step up related efforts.

On behalf of the Royal Government and Ministry of National Defence of Cambodia, General Tea Seiha once again extended thanks to the Vietnamese Government, army, and people for their continued support and assistance in Cambodia’s development across all fields.

In a welcome message at the event, Pen Kosal, Governor of Tboung Khmum Province, briefed participants on the province’s socio-economic development, preparations for the event, and the construction progress of the various components within the Techo Koh Thmar X16 historical military site.

He also praised the traditional friendship and cooperation between Cambodia and Vietnam, as well as between border provinces such as Tboung Khmum and their Vietnamese counterparts.

This year’s event marked 48 years since the beginning of the liberation journey led by Samdech Techo Hun Sen, President of the Senate and of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), and a group of trusted associates, toward liberating Cambodia and its people from the genocidal Democratic Kampuchea regime in early 1979.

On June 20, 1977, at the age of 25,  Hun Sen and four fellow comrades, namely Nuch Than, Nhek Huon, San Sanh, and Va Por Ean, crossed the border into Vietnam to seek support from the neighbouring country for Cambodia’s struggle to escape the genocidal regime led by Pol Pot.

From that beginning, with the participation of other patriotic forces in Cambodia and the timely and effective support of Vietnam, came the decisive victory of January 7, 1979. This historic event liberated Cambodia and its people from the Democratic Kampuchea regime, ended the war, restored national unity, and laid the foundation for a peaceful and developing country.

To commemorate these historic events and honour the patriotism and heroism of Cambodia’s outstanding sons and daughters who fought for their people and nation, the Cambodian Government invested in the development of the Techo Koh Thmar X16 historical military site, assigning the Ministry of National Defence to organize the annual commemoration since 2017.

In early April 2023, the Ministry inaugurated a grand stupa and held a ceremony to inter the remains of 49 combatants from the Cambodian National United Front for Salvation’s Armed Forces at the site, after repatriating their remains from Vietnam where they had rested for decades.

Cambodia grateful to Vietnam for overthrowing Khmer Rouge genocidal regime

VOV.VN - Cambodia always remembers the sacrifices and heroic fights of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers in the 1979 revolution to overthrow the Khmer Rouge genocidal regime, said Samdech Techo Hun Sen, chairman of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP).