Preah Sihanouk: Governor Mang Sineth addressed the 72nd anniversary ceremony for national independence and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces at the 7 January venue in Sihanoukville on November 9, 2025. He said leaders, officials, armed forces, monks, teachers, students, workers, employees and people nationwide, particularly the province’s residents, were celebrating this historic day. The anniversary, November 9, 1953–November 9, 2025, recalled Cambodia’s recovery of full independence and precious freedoms from French colonialism through the dedication of King Norodom Sihanouk, father of national independence.
Cambodia commemorates November 9 annually to remember the struggle for full independence and the sacrifices of heroes, soldiers and citizens for freedom and prosperity. He specifically recalled the morning of July 24, 2025, when soldiers bravely fought forces invading the country, ready to sacrifice their lives to preserve territorial integrity and prevent any nation from violating it.
He recalled 1975 as an unforgettable historical tragedy under the genocidal Pol Pot regime. During three years, eight months and twenty days of Democratic Kampuchea, achievements were seized, people brutally killed and society devastated.
He said Samdech Hun Sen’s life-risking struggle had revived the Cambodian nation, liberated it from genocide and brought comprehensive peace on December 29, 1998 through the win-win policy, enabling the country’s dynamic development today.
He said the seventh government under Prime Minister Hun Manet continued upholding peace, stability and socio-economic development, with the determination to reach upper-middle-income status in 2030 and high-income status in 2050.
Mang Sineth stressed that independence and peace had not arisen by themselves but resulted from Cambodians’ own efforts and initiatives. He urged everyone to give their strength and wisdom, follow the historic achievements and example of the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk, and unite under King Norodom Sihamoni and Prime Minister Hun Manet’s leadership to safeguard independence, sovereignty, peace, development and the enduring Cambodian nation.
Text: Pai Sokhim.
Photographer: Teav Vichat.
