Workers transfer the China-donated Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines at Phnom Penh International Airport in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Feb. 7, 2021.File photo:Xinhua

With Cambodia encountering severe challenges stemming from the coronavirus pandemic, China as a staunch friend will "do its utmost" to work with the Cambodian side to fight against the pandemic, which not only embodies the two sides' special friendship but China's responsibility for the China-Cambodia community of a shared future, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Friday.

"The Chinese side is conducting active vaccine cooperation with Cambodia, while aiding Cambodia in building nucleic acid testing labs and giving out test kits. China will continue to provide assistance to Cambodia's fight against the outbreak as much as it can according to the needs of the Cambodian side," Zhao said at a regular press briefing.

Police block a street to prevent people from entering Phnom Penh, Cambodia, April 15, 2021.(Photo: Xinhua)

The comments come as Cambodia is witnessing a rising number of COVID-19 cases and Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen have ordered a two-week lockdown of the capital city Phnom Penh.

Zhao said the Chinese side pays close attention to the outbreak situation in Cambodia and believes that the Cambodian people can beat the pandemic as early as possible under the firm leadership of Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen.

China and Cambodia have stood together and helped each other in times of need since last year and Prime Minister Hun Sen's visit to China at a time when the pandemic situation in China was still grave demonstrated his strong support for China.  Bilateral relations and the friendly sentiment between the two peoples are becoming closer, Zhao said.

Global Times