PHOTO: MCI
Rousing red carpet welcome for President Tony Tan Keng Yam in Cambodia
The Straits Times | 8 January 2017
PHNOM PENH - President Tony Tan Keng Yam landed in the Cambodian
capital Phnom Penh on Sunday (Jan 8) afternoon to a rousing red carpet
welcome.
Cambodian Guards stood at attention at the Phnom Penh International
Airport, where a line of Cambodians also waited to greet the president,
waving Singapore and Cambodia flags.
They also carried with them flowers, and portraits of their monarch,
King Norodom Sihamoni, alongside those of Dr Tan and his wife Mary.
At the airport, Singapore flags flew high alongside the red, white and
blue Cambodian flag, and a billboard proclaimed: "Long live the bonds of
solidarity and friendship between Singapore-Cambodia".
Dr Tan was received by Cambodia's deputy prime minister and Minister
of the Royal Palace Kong Sam Ol, and tourism minister Thong Khon. He
will be in Cambodia for a state visit until Jan 11, when he sets off on a
state visit to Laos.
The president later headed to the Independence Monument, where he laid a ceremonial wreath.
The 20-metre tall, lotus-shaped structure at the heart of Phnom Penh
commemorates Cambodia's independence from France in 1953, and is also a
memorial for the country's war dead.
He was received by acting minister of national defence Chay Saing
Yun. Dr Tan will round off his first day in Phnom Penh among
Singaporeans, at a reception for the Singapore community in Cambodia.
On Monday (Jan 9), Dr Tan's packed itinerary includes a welcome
ceremony at the grand Royal Palace, and an audience with King Sihamoni,
as well as with Queen Mother Norodom Monineath.
He will also meet Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. Both leaders will
witness the signing of two agreements on vocational training and
healthcare.
Later that night, Dr Tan will be back at the Royal Palace for a royal banquet hosted in his honour by King Sihamoni.
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