by Nguon Sovan, Mao Pengfei
PHNOM PENH, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Peace is the most important factor for Asia's progress and prosperity, and all countries in the region should stay united to maintain it, Cambodian youths said on Monday, ahead of the fifth summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) to be held in Tajikistan this month.
Tang Huy, a fourth-year student at the Beltei International University in Phnom Penh, said that peace is a prerequisite for common people lives and development in all countries in Asia.
"A country cannot develop if there is no peace. Economic development and for uplifting the life and living standard of common people, peace is very important," she told Xinhua in an interview.
She said both Cambodia and China support the principle of non-interference in other countries' domestic affairs and that this policy is crucial to keep peace in Asia and in the world.
"Yes, non-interference in the domestic affairs of other countries is the key policy of both countries, which can promote and protect the peace in Asia," she said, adding that no country has a right to interfere in other countrys' internal affairs.
Huy also urged people in Asia to continue to work together to maintain the current peace and development in the region.
"My message to my all brothers and sisters in Cambodia, Asia and around the world: It is easier to destroy the peace within a short period of time, but it takes generations and decades to bring the peace and maintain it," she said.
Sann Sorphorn, who is also a senior at the Beltei International University, believed that Cambodia and all nations alike wish for long-lasting peace for their countries.
"Of course, we all Cambodians love peace more than anything in the world. People who know our history will definitely agree with us," he said. "Yes, I personally believe all the countries in Asia love peace and economic development. They don't want war, as war ruins everything," he added.
Soy Sophea, a PhD. student in political science at the Asia Euro University in Phnom Penh, said that Asia is currently a peaceful region and the people of Asia should stay united to uphold this.
"So far, Asian region is a peaceful area. However, conflict between the United States and Iran, the issue of the Korean Peninsula among others are posing threat to peace, stability and development in Asia," he said.
"I'm a peace lover. I want to see all issues to be settled through peaceful negotiations," he said. "In my point of view, the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs is very important to avoid escalating tension among countries in any dispute," he said.
Sophea said all nations in the region should try their best to settle their differences peacefully for the sake of their own countries and the whole region.
"I believe that Asian region will continue to enjoy peace, stability and development for longer if each nation is committed to settling their differences through peaceful negotiations," he said.
"I would like to say to the people in Asia and in the world that peace is the most important factor for all. Without peace, we cannot develop our country," he said.
"I hope that the people of Asia will stay united to protect peace and to oppose any attempt to destroy peace in Asia," he added.
As Cambodia and China signed an action plan in April for building a community with a shared future between the two countries, Sophea said the document would importantly contribute to peaceful development in the two countries.
Sorphorn agreed that the document will promote peaceful development in both countries.
"Yes, it will be, as Cambodia and China have a historical, cultural and economic relation for millennium," Sorphorn said.
