PHNOM PENH, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- An international conference on the "New World Order" convened here in the Cambodian capital on Friday, fostering critical discussions on global geopolitics, regional cooperation, digital technology, trade, economics, education, and soft power.
Co-organized by the Cambodia University of Technology and Science (CamTech University), Sun Yat-sen University, and China-ASEAN Studies Center, the one-day forum brought together leading scholars, researchers, policymakers, and industry pioneers.
The conference featured two panel discussions. The first examined the strategic dynamics for ASEAN and the broader international community. The second addressed the dynamics of multipolarity, multilateralism, and the agency of small states.
Delivering a keynote address, Sok Siphana, a Cambodian senior minister in charge of special missions for multilateral trade and economic affairs, said the conference served as a strategic platform to exchange insights and navigate the emerging challenges and opportunities defining an increasingly interconnected world.
Siphana said that nations must firmly uphold the United Nations Charter as the bedrock constitution of international society while actively resisting the fragmentation of the global economy.
While acknowledging the necessity of economic resilience, he warned that indiscriminate decoupling would inevitably impoverish developing nations and solidify adversarial political blocs.
For ASEAN to remain relevant, he said, member states must fortify the bloc's unity to ensure it remains a neutral, inclusive platform where competing global powers can engage without forcing Southeast Asia to align with a single patron.
Throughout the sessions, panelists highlighted China's role in maintaining global security, stability, and development, while actively promoting multilateralism and inclusive global governance.
For the attendees, the forum offered valuable academic and personal insights.
Him Gek Houn, a first-year student at CamTech University, shared that she joined the conference to experience a global forum firsthand and to understand how nations can collectively improve the global landscape.
"I learned that to truly come together and improve our world, we need to understand our neighbors' perspectives and cultures," she told Xinhua. "While we have different backgrounds, we still share the same planet. Therefore, we should come together on the basis of equality."
Houn also noted the value of the historical and strategic debates. She found the discussions regarding World War II and the evolution of U.S. global hegemony highly interesting, particularly the ideas on how the international community can foster a more balanced, multipolar system.
Reflecting on regional ties, Houn emphasized that China plays a vital role in global peace and development. She expressed optimism for the future, hoping that China and Cambodia will continue to deepen their partnership to achieve greater milestones for regional security and shared prosperity.
Fellow classmate Leng Sodavy, also a first-year student at CamTech University, echoed these sentiments, noting that the forum provided profound insights into pressing global issues and the evolving dynamics of Cambodia-China relations. ■