Camphor tree at Jingui Park grows with luxuriant foliage. [Photo provided to wuxi.gov.cn]

Wuxi in East China's Jiangsu province has long embraced an open and inclusive attitude, which has greatly benefited the traditional friendship between China and Cambodia and allowed this cross-border affection to bloom into something truly splendid.

In 2016, a delegation of young political leaders from the Cambodian People's Party visited the Taihu New City in Wuxi. At Jingui Park, they discussed youth exchanges between the two countries and, together with Wuxi youth representatives, planted a camphor tree symbolizing the friendship between China and Cambodia.

At that time, the deputy head of the delegation was Hun Manet, who is now prime minister of Cambodia. Today, this tree flourishes, much like the increasingly close friendship between Wuxi and Cambodia.

Entrance of Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone in Cambodia. [Photo provided to wuxi.gov.cn]

The Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone in Cambodia is a joint development project carried out by a slew of Chinese enterprises led by Wuxi's HOdo Group and Cambodian enterprises.

It now houses approximately 70 percent of factories in Preah Sihanouk Province, providing employment opportunities for 32,000 locals. This marks a significant achievement in the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative between China and Cambodia.

In addition to economic and trade cooperation in SSEZ, Wuxi has engaged in extensive exchanges and cooperation with Cambodia over the course of several decades, focusing on education, healthcare and culture.

As a pioneer and stronghold of China-Cambodia cooperation, Wuxi will concentrate more resources and initiatives in the future to contribute to the enduring friendship between the two countries.