The Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) held a solemn ceremony to commemorate the 36th anniversary of the historical victory over the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime on January 7, the end of what is widely considered the darkest period in Cambodian history.

The event was attended by over 10,000 people from all walks of life, including CPP Honorary President and President of the National Assembly Heng Samrin, CPP Vice President and Prime Minister Hun Sen, and Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Thach Du.

The ceremony aimed to memorialise and express sincere gratitude for the heroic martyrs, Cambodian patriots, and Vietnamese volunteer soldiers who gave their lives to free Cambodia from the brutal genocidal Khmer Rouge regime, stated Heng Samrin.

The event was also intended to commemorate the 3.3 million victims of the genocidal regime and pray for their souls, he added.

Reviewing Cambodia’s history during the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime (1975-79), Samrin noted that the Cambodian United Front for National Salvation, formed on December 2, 1978, united and inspired Cambodian people to rise up against the brutal regime and call for support from peace-loving and justice-driven countries around the world.

In response to the call, Cambodian people, with the timely and great support of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers, won a series of battles that led to a complete victory on January 7, 1979, saving the lives of innumerable Cambodians and beginning a new chapter of Cambodian history of independence, freedom, democracy, and progress, said Samrin.

The achievements recorded since January 7, 1979 have brought justice to Cambodian history and cannot be sabotaged or distorted by any individual or force, he continued, adding that the trials for top leaders of the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime held by the United Nations and Cambodia also contributed to bringing justice to Cambodian people.

Highlighting achievements over the past 36 years, Samrin emphasised that between 2010-14 Cambodia experienced an annual economic growth of 7 percent, which is forecasted to continue in 2015. Cambodia has not only achieved food security, but also become a rice exporter, helping to reduce the poverty rate to 18 percent in 2014, he noted.

According to Samrin, after the CPP and the Cambodia National Rescue Party reached an agreement on July 22, 2014, the political situation in the country has increasingly become stable.

The CPP has always considered reform process a key factor in determining the success of its political programmes for the development and prosperity of the country, and to ultimately enhance Cambodia’s position in the region and the world.-VNA