Cambodia scam centres must be eradicated: Wang Yi

Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called for the complete eradication of scam centres in Cambodia during a meeting with the country's Prime Minister Hun Manet in Phnom Penh. According to a Foreign Ministry statement published late on Wednesday, Wang told Hun Manet that "cross-border gambling and fraud endanger the lives and property of the people and must be resolutely cracked down on and completely eradicated". Under pressure from several nations, including China, Cambodian authorities had said they are cracking down on scam centres in the country. Wang, accompanied by Defence Minister Dong Jun, also met Cambodian foreign minister Prak Sokhonn and defence minister Tea Seiha. The Foreign Minister said he supported initiatives aimed at normalising relations between Cambodia and Thailand following deadly clashes last year along their shared border. "China is willing to continue to build more platforms for the resumption of exchanges and direct dialogue between Cambodia and Thailand," Wang said. For his part, Sokhonn said that China is Cambodia's most trusted friend and expressed his gratitude for Beijing's comprehensive support. Xinhua News Agency reported that both sides agreed to deepen law enforcement and defence cooperation, jointly combat online gambling and telecom fraud, and safeguard cybersecurity. (AFP/Xinhua) Edited by Tony Sabine