The Royal Academy of Cambodia, the National Press, and the Chinese Publishing Administration have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on translating and publishing books related to Khmer history and culture into Chinese. The agreement was formally signed in Siem Reap province by Sok Touch, President of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, and Sun Yeli, Deputy Minister of Propaganda of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. The signing ceremony, presided over by Hun Many, Minister of Civil Service, and Li Xuli, Minister of Propaganda of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, solidifies the commitment to jointly translate and publish five books covering topics such as Apsara sculpture at Angkor Wat, apparel and fashion, Khmer inscriptions, and Khmer history.
"We have urged the Chinese authorities to utilize the Memorandum of Understanding for the publication of these books in Chinese and their placement in various public spaces such as restaurants, airports, and libraries. This initiative aims to provide Chinese readers with an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Cambodia through these translated works", he stated. Emphasizing that a significant portion of the Chinese population lacks awareness about Cambodia, he sees the translation of Khmer novels into Mandarin as an effective means to acquaint Chinese readers with the people and culture of Cambodia. He mentioned that, as per the MoU, a commission would be established by the Chinese side to execute these tasks, with the Royal Academy of Cambodia playing a supportive role in the process.
The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding coincided with the visit of Li Xuli, Minister of Propaganda of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, to Cambodia, marking the commencement of the 2024 China-Cambodia Year of People-to-People Exchange. The collaboration between the two nations has been mutually advantageous, strengthening ties across various sectors, notably in sports, education, culture, tourism, and the broadening scope of economic growth. Pov Sok, an advisor to Prime Minister Hun Manet, emphasized the importance of embracing the Memorandum of Understanding related to the translation and publication project of books, highlighting its positive impact on both countries.
