Hun Sen says no to evacuating Cambodians in China
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen delivers a statement to journalists on the government measures against the SARS-like virus in Phnom Penh on January 30, 2020. – Cambodia’s health ministry reported the country’s first case of the virus on January 27, a 60-year-old man who arrived from Wuhan and is now stable, as the death toll from China’s viral epidemic on January 30 leapt to 170, with 7,892 confirmed infections. (Photo by TANG CHHIN Sothy / AFP)
As the Thai Government comes under increasing pressure for an urgent evacuation of Thais stranded in Wuhan, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen is taking a totally approach toward his country’s citizens in China.
Hun Sen said on Thursday that Cambodians in China will not be evacuated.
Speaking at a press conference, Hun Sen said taking Cambodian students and diplomats out of China at this critical moment would be a slight to the country.
The prime minister described the decision as “soft diplomacy”, according to Phnom Penh Post.
“We decided not to evacuate Cambodian students. Evacuating them would probably bring an end to opportunities for Cambodians to study there. China would stop offering scholarships.
“We are keeping [Cambodian students] there to share [Chinese people’s] happiness and pain and to help them solve this situation. We cannot be there when things are good but run away when trouble comes,” he said.
Full article at: https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/pm-cambodians-will-not-be-evacuated-china
