Vietnam News Agency-Cambodia Friendship: A Story Just Told - Part 3: And the Chey Beaupha Friendship Bridge

Photo caption — Ms. Chey Beaupha, Vice President of the Association of Cambodian Alumni in Vietnam (CAVA), gives an interview to a VNA reporter. Photo: Hoang Minh/VNA reporter in Cambodia

According to Ms. Sokmom Nimul, AKP was established in late 1978, then called SPK, from scratch and received support in all aspects from VNA, both spiritually, materially, technically, professionally... Citing the Cambodian people's motto "Get to know each other in poverty, know your friends in times of need", AKP General Director emphasized: "That is a valuable and precious point in the relationship, as well as in the cooperation activities between the two agencies. Because VNA has never abandoned us, always stuck with us at all times".

For Ms. Chey Beaupha, General, Deputy Secretary General of the National Agency for Drug Control of Cambodia (NACD), Vice President of the Association of Cambodian Alumni in Vietnam (CAVA), that was also a time filled with memories of her childhood as the daughter of the late journalist Chey Saphon, the first Director General of SPK. She always felt lucky to be born and survive in that turbulent historical period, along with the pride of having her father as the head of the Cambodian national news agency in its early days.

According to the Cambodian female General, in the early days of AKP's activities, journalist Chey Saphon often went to get news about the country's situation after the Pol Pot genocide regime, sometimes bringing his daughter along. During those trips, he often told his daughter the story of the SPK's formation. Thanks to that, Chey Beaupha clearly remembered the milestone of the SPK's birth on December 3, 1978, just one day after the establishment of the Cambodian National United Front for National Salvation, under the leadership of comrades Heng Samrin, Chea Sim and Hun Sen, the first senior leaders of the Front at that time.
Ms. Chey Beaupha clearly remembers that after the Khmer Rouge regime was overthrown in early 1979, the Cambodian News Agency (SPK) was established with the first leadership consisting of her father, Mr. Chey Saphan, as General Director, along with two Deputy General Directors, Em Sam An and Dith Munty. That was a difficult time for Cambodia, lacking in every way. In the memory of an 8-9 year old girl, the most unforgettable memory of Chey Beaupha is the image of the SPK reporters who were emaciated due to lack of food. They carried cameras and roamed the streets, capturing images of the remnants of war in the days when Phnom Penh was newly liberated.

Looking back at history, Senior General Chey Beaupha said that in early 1979, providing and disseminating information to help people in the country and the world know about the situation in Cambodia was extremely important. The leadership team, reporters and staff of the SPK News Agency at that time made great efforts to fulfill their functions and tasks, with great support from Vietnamese friends, volunteer soldiers in general and experts in particular, who sacrificed their blood and bones for the country of Cambodia.
During those historic years, a team of Vietnamese experts participated in supporting the establishment of many agencies and fields in Cambodia. VNA sent a team of more than 100 experts, including reporters and technicians, to support the training of human resources for SPK in the period when it had just escaped the genocidal regime, both in the skills of implementing and producing information as well as taking photos and processing images.

NACD Deputy Secretary General Chey Beaupha recalled the recent event celebrating the 80th anniversary of Vietnam's National Day in Hanoi, attended by Samdech Techo Hun Sen, President of the Senate and President of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP). According to her, this shows that the relationship between the Party, State and People of the two countries is increasingly strengthened and deepened, achieving many results in all fields, both economic and political , bringing benefits to the two countries. NACD Deputy Secretary General stated: "The people of Cambodia and Vietnam, especially the younger generation, have known and understood this special relationship, especially the great sacrifices and contributions of the previous generation".

From the perspective of CAVA's leadership, Ms. Chey Beaupha expressed her expectations for the Association's upcoming activities, especially the activities of connecting and supporting employment for CAVA members, for the benefit of the Association, its members and the two neighboring countries. She said that for students who have just completed their training program in Vietnam and are unemployed, CAVA will connect and provide recruitment information from Vietnamese enterprises in need of labor. Conversely, for Vietnamese enterprises operating in Cambodia that need skilled workers and are fluent in Vietnamese, CAVA will connect and introduce members who are trained in the right profession and field. The Vice President of CAVA expressed her belief that former students who have studied in Vietnam, understand Vietnamese culture and traditions, and understand each other in communication will help work go more smoothly and conveniently.

Ms. Chey Beaupha's expectations stem from her role and responsibility as a member of the Association's Board of Directors as well as CAVA members and the young generation of Cambodia today in general. They understand, acknowledge, appreciate and are grateful for the persistent efforts of previous generations in the construction and development of Cambodia today, as well as in cultivating a good and friendly relationship with Vietnam.

CAVA Vice President, General Chey Beaupha, shared: “I really like the motto about the relationship between our two countries of 'Good neighbors, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, long-term sustainability'. Our generation has the responsibility to preserve and nurture that relationship to become more and more sustainable and better.”

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/nghia-tinh-thong-tan-xa-viet-namcampuchia-chuyen-bay-gio-moi-ke-bai-3-va-nhip-cau-huu-nghi-chey-beaupha-20250917195324637.htm