CPP Chairman Samdech Techo Hun Sen addresses the event (Photo: VNA)

Phnom Penh (VNA) – Chairman of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) Samdech Techo Hun Sen highlightedthe significance of the victory over the Pol Pol genocidal regime 45 years ago, at a ceremony tocelebrate the historical event in Phnom Penh onJanuary 7.

In his speech, Hun Sen reviewed the historical context of Cambodia inthe 1970s, saying that after nearly four years in power, the Pol Pot genocidalregime pushed Cambodia to the brink of perdition as nearly 3million Cambodian civilians - a quarter of the country's population at thattime – were killed.

With the support of the people throughout the co🐼untry and the great andtimely assistance of the Vietnamese volunteer soldiers, and peace andjustice-loving forces around the world, the  Kampuchean United Front for National Salvation(KUFNS) overthrewthe genocidal regime on January 7, 1979, rescuing millions of Cam📖bodians from genocide,he said.

The event gathers thousands of Cambodian people (Photo: VNA)

HunSen emphasised that this year's event took place in the context that Cambodia hascontinued to reap many new achievements in various fields, and beenprogressing with self-confidence on the path of peace, democracy, rule of thelaw, and development.

He also affirmed the holding of the ceremony was conducted in the spirit of keepingin mind the tragedy caused by the genocidal regime to the country and people ofCambodia, and forever keeping in mind the noble contributions by members of the KUFNS and Vietnamese volunteer soldiers to the toppling of the PolPot genocidal regime and the prevention of its return.

In addition to the celebration in Phnom Penh, activities markingthe victory were also organised in many provinces and cities in the country.

Accordingto Sok Eysan, a spokesman of the CPP, the celebration notonly aims to celebrate the victory but alsodemonstrates the strength of great solidarity between Cambodia and Vietnam.

Nearly five decades after the victory, Cambodia has revived and recorded manyremarkable achievements. The Southeast Asian nation’s GDP increased tenfold to 29.6billion USD in 2022 from 3.11 billion USD in 1998. During 2017-2022, foreigndirectꩲ investment into the country surged 15 folds. In 2023,Cambodia's economic growth expanded 5.6%, and is forecast to rise by 6.6% in2024./.