PHNOM PENH, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Thursday celebrated the 24-year anniversary of the end of civil war, vowing to continue protecting the hard-won peace for the nation's further development.
The Southeast Asian nation has enjoyed full peace since 1998 after current Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen used his self-designed "Win-Win Policy" to coax the Khmer Rouge to reintegrate into his Phnom Penh government.
Speaking during a celebratory ceremony held at the Win-Win Monument on the northern suburb of Phnom Penh, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen. Tea Banh said continuing to protect peace is the most important thing in order to ensure the sustainability of the country's socioeconomic development and poverty reduction.
"We are committed to building our country to be a prosperous and civilized society, and we will do our best to prevent every attempt to create war or internal conflict," he told the gathering of about 5,000 people.
Banh said with peace, a large number of foreign investors and tourists have come to Cambodia. ■