Cambodia celebrated the 60th anniversary of the declaration of the Independence Day on November 9 with a call for national unity for the country's peace and development.

The celebration was held under the auspices of King Norodom Sihamoni and was attended by National Assembly President Heng Samrin, Prime Minister Hun Sen, and Senate's first Vice-President Say Chhum, as well as senior officials and representatives of several political parties and civil organisations.

Vietnamese Ambassador Ngo Anh Dung and representatives of foreign diplomatic corps and international organisations in Phnom Penh joined the event.

Addressing the celebration, King Norodom Sihamoni called on all Cambodian people to be united under the roof of the constitution and state laws in order to contribute to defending and building the nation in all domains, particularly economy, as the country has full peace and political stability.

PM Hun Sen highlighted Cambodia’s goals of earning high income by 2030 and becoming a developed country by 2050.

According to the PM, the country’s economic growth rate reached 7.3 percent with per-capita income hitting 973 USD last year. The figures are expected to climb to 7.6 percent and 1,036 USD, respectively.

Hun Sen affirmed Cambodia’s careful preparations for regional and international integration, especially the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015.

The Southeast Asian nation gained full independence and freedom from the French protectorate on Nov. 9, 1953 after it had ruled by France for 90 years.-VNA