A Chinese song competition for Cambodian youth was held in the capital of Cambodia on Wednesday to promote Chinese-language education and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Cambodian Minister of Education, Youth and Sport Hang Chuon Naron and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin presided over the final contest, which was convened at the Royal Academy of Cambodia.

Speaking at the event, Chuon Naron said the Chinese song contest was part of joint activities to celebrate the Cambodia-China people-to-people exchange year 2024 and to promote Chinese-language education in the Southeast Asian country.

"The competition's purpose is to nurture the best young talents," he said. "I firmly believe that this Chinese song contest is an important catalyst to promote Chinese-language education in Cambodia and to deepen cultural exchanges between our two countries."

Meanwhile, Chuon Naron, who is also a Cambodian deputy prime minister, said the relationship between Cambodia and China has deep historical roots. "This long-standing traditional bond of friendship has not only become an invaluable treasure for our both countries, but also set a good example of mutually beneficial cooperation, peaceful coexistence, shared prosperity and common development."

A total of 16 Cambodian candidates, who had been shortlisted from dozens of contestants across the kingdom, showed their abilities and talents in the final stage.

Encouraging Cambodian people to learn the Chinese language and Chinese people to learn the Cambodian language, Wang said that people-to-people exchanges are crucial to promoting mutual understanding, as language is a bridge to connect the two peoples and is a catalyst for China-Cambodia cooperation.

"I hope everyone will firmly serve as the messengers of China-Cambodia friendship, make friends through music, build a bridge for cultural exchanges between China and Cambodia, and continue to write a new chapter of friendly cooperation between our two countries," the Chinese ambassador said.

As 2024 marks the 66th anniversary of China-Cambodia diplomatic relations, Wang said over the past 66 years, China and Cambodia have always provided mutual support and that the ironclad friendship between the two countries is "unbreakable."

At the end of the contest, Mar Linna, an 11th-grade student at the Duan Hua Chinese School in Phnom Penh, was awarded the top prize.

"I feel thrilled with and elated at this result," Linna told Xinhua.

"This contest is very good for the learners of the Chinese language because it helps us understand better about Chinese culture and increase our Chinese proficiency," the 18-year-old student said.

Linna said she has learned the Chinese language since she was young because of her love of Chinese culture.

Contestant Koem Keamheang, a second-year student in the major of e-commerce at the Cambodia-China University of Technology and Science in Phnom Penh, said the competition was a good opportunity for talented candidates to show abilities.

"It is good for the learners of the Chinese language because it helps increase their knowledge and Chinese proficiency," she told Xinhua.

"I love the Chinese language because studying Chinese will provide a good opportunity in the future to find a job, to communicate with Chinese people, and to visit China conveniently," the 20-year-old student said.