The 2024 China-Cambodia Year of Cultural Exchange was launched Jan 13 at the Elephant Terrace of the Angkor Wat Temple in Cambodia. The event was jointly organized by the cultural and tourism departments of China and Cambodia, undertaken by China Arts and Entertainment Group Ltd. (CAEG), and planned and produced by the China Performing Arts Agency.

During the launch ceremony, Li Shulei, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and minister of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee; Prince Norodom Ranariddh, special representative of the King and chairman of the Supreme Advisory Council of Cambodia; and Prince Sisowath Thomico, a member of the Supreme Advisory Council of the King of Cambodia, delivered speeches. They jointly struck the victory drum, officially announcing the commencement of the  cultural exchange.

Artists from the Central National Music Orchestra, China National Opera and Dance Drama Theater, and China National Theatre for Children, as well as artists from the Cambodian Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts' dance troupe and orchestra, and the Cambodian Children's Choir, delivered splendid performances. Cambodian Princess Norodom Buppha Devi sang the song "Memories of China," symbolizing the friendship between China and Cambodia.

The Chinese and Cambodian orchestras performed the traditional Chinese music piece "Congratulations," conveying their sincerest blessings to each other through music. The "Queen of Chinese Instruments," the pipa, and the ancient Cambodian instrument, the tro, performed "Impression of Roses," resonating the most representative tones of both countries. Finally, artists from China and Cambodia collaborated to perform representative songs from both countries, "Jasmine Flower" and "The Soul of Khmer," bringing the performance to a climax.

The 2024 China-Cambodia Year of Cultural Exchange showcased the cultural charm of both China and Cambodia, highlighting the friendly cooperation between the two countries. It laid a solid foundation for deepening mutual cultural exchanges and promoting people-to-people cooperation, injecting new impetus into China-Cambodia relations.