DAP: The breaking news in Cambodia: “Gov't supports all activities to serve children basic needs: Cambodian PM” plus 9 more

Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization

 

Leading through Learning

 

www.seameo.org

The Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) is a regional intergovernmental organization established in 1965 among governments of Southeast Asian countries to promote regional cooperation in education, science and culture in the region.

 Its 11 Member Countries include Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste and Vietnam. It embodies 7 Associate Member Countries: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Spain; and three Affiliate Members, namely the International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE), the University of Tsukuba, Japan and the British Council, England.

 The Organization's highest policy-making body is the SEAMEO Council, which comprises the 11 Southeast Asian education ministers. The SEAMEO Secretariat is the executive arm of the Council.

 Over the past four decades, SEAMEO has developed 20 specialist institutions throughout Southeast Asia which provide regional leadership in human resource development and diverse expertise that they offer in education, health, environment, and agriculture and natural resources.

 VISION

 

The leading organization for enhancing regional understanding and cooperation in education, science and culture for a better quality of life in Southeast Asia

 MISSION

 

To enhance regional understanding, cooperation and unity of purpose among Member Countries for a better quality of life through the establishment of networks and partnerships, the provision of fora among policy makers and experts, and the promotion of sustainable human resource development.

CORE VALUES OF SEAMEO

 

Attitude:

1. Respect for Cultural Diversity

2. Belief in People

3. Commitment

Character:

4. Integrity

5. Professionalism

6. Collaborativeness

Behavior:

7. Strive for Excellence

8. Proactiveness

9. Service-orientedness

PHNOM PENH, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia has received 1.27 million international tourists in the first four months of this year, a 27 percent increase from the same period last year, statistics of the Tourism Ministry showed Wednesday.

Some 50 percent of the visitors arrived in the country by air, 46 percent by land and the rest by water ways.

From January to April this year, Vietnam topped the chart among the top 10 arrivals with 246,600 tourists, up 35 percent, followed by South Korea with 181,000, up 39 percent, and Chinese tourists with 112,600, up 32 percent.

During the period, Thai tourists to Cambodia has also seen a sharp rise of 87 percent to 65,200, thanks to the improving relations between the two countries after military tension over disputed border areas has eased since last July.

Siem Reap's Angkor archeological park, the country's largest cultural destination, received 810,000 foreign tourists during the period, up 64 percent.

Tourism industry is one of the major four pillars supporting Cambodian economy. In 2011, the sector received 2.88 million foreign tourists, generating a total revenue of 1.91 billion U.S. dollars.

On 30th May, 2012, Secretary-General Ma Mingqiang received an exclusive interview by Khmer Economy Magazine. SG Ma gave a detailed introduction on the development of ACC since its establishment. He also introduced the work done by ACC to promote the cooperation between Cambodia and China, as well as ASEAN-China in the areas of trade, investment, education, culture and tourism. He pointed out that as a "one stop" information and activities centre, ACC is committed to promoting all-round cooperation between ASEAN and China.

Khmer Economy Magazine is a Cambodian and Chinese bilingual magazine, which reports the economic and social development of Cambodia and the economic exchanges between Cambodia and China.

BEIJING, May 30 (Xinhuanet) -- Defence Minister Liang Guanglie has met with his Philippine counterpart Voltaire Gazmin on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting.

Liang said the Philippines is an important neighbor of China and his country has made great efforts to improve the relationship between the two. Liang pointed out that Huangyan Island is an inherent part of China's territory. He asked the Philippines to resist from escalating the issue.

Gazmin suggested that the two sides continue to open lines of communication and look for a peaceful solution. The meeting took place during Liang's official visit to Cambodia.

BEIJING, May 30 (Xinhuanet) --Defense Minister Liang Guanglie urged the Philippines to show "discreet in both words and deeds" over the Huangyan Island issue and make tangible steps toward regional peace and stability.

Liang made the remarks while meeting his Philippine counterpart Voltaire Gazmin on Monday on the sidelines of the defense ministers' meeting of Southeast Asian countries in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia.

It was the first face-to-face talk for the two defense chiefs, and the highest level meeting between officials from both governments to exchange views on bilateral issues since the Huangyan Island incident broke out about two months ago.

"It was the Philippine warship's armed harassment of Chinese fishermen that triggered the Huangyan incident. And actions of the Philippines afterwards further complicated the whole issue, " the defense minister said, reiterating that the island is part of China's inherent territory.

Liang said he hoped Manila could maintain restraint and give priority to the overall situation, urging the Philippine military to "respect China's sovereignty and stop further provocations".

Li Guoqiang, deputy director of the Research Center for Chinese Borderland History and Geography of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told China Daily that Liang is sending important signals through his statement.

"The meeting was held between officials of the highest level. And considering Liang's military duties, his statement indicated China's intention to solve the dispute through political solutions and also demonstrated our capability to protect territorial integrity."

The defense minister also said as neighboring countries across the sea, China pays great attention to military relations with the Philippines, and it has taken various measures to improve bilateral contacts.

The Philippine defense chief said he appreciated the meeting, and exchanged views on the sensitive bilateral issue with his Chinese counterpart.

Gazmin said the defense departments of both sides should keep communication lines open to seek a peaceful and proper solution.

While tensions still remain high in the South China Sea, the meeting was "a good thing", said Yang Baoyun, a professor of Southeast Asia studies at Peking University, adding that it suggested both sides shared the willingness to ease tension.

"Dialogues between the two defense chiefs prove both sides want to talk to each other. Despite the continuous provocations, Manila actually understands there is no other way but peaceful talks to resolve the issue."

But Yang also warned that Gazmin's call for open communication does not mean Manila's has changed its stance.

The Philippines has not only turned to the United States for support but also expanded military cooperation with countries such as Japan and India. Japan sent two training ships to the Philippines for a four-day port call this week and declared it would provide the country with 10 patrol vessels to bolster its maritime and territorial capabilities before the end of the year.

"Washington does not expect the issue to escalate into an armed conflict, but it will be generous with its support. Japan just wants to use the incident to scatter its pressure in the East China Sea," Yang said.

SHANGHAI, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Thirteen Chinese mainlanders implicated in a transnational telecommunications fraud were sent to Shanghai under the escort of Chinese police from Sri Lanka on Tuesday, police said.

Arriving in Shanghai at 8:55 p.m., they are among 482 suspects in a variety of cases seized by law enforcement officials from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan on May 23 with the help of police in six countries.

The telecom fraud suspects allegedly stole more than 11.5 million U. S. dollars in 510 scams, and they were spread throughout the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, as well as Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and Fiji.

So far, the operation has seen 139 suspects being sent back to China's mainland, with another 126 escorted from Thailand and Malaysia to Beijing on May 24.

Of the suspects, 177 are from the Chinese mainland, 286 from Taiwan, and the other 19 suspects are from Thailand and Myanmar, the Ministry of Public Security said.

The ministry launched the operation in November 2011, inviting police from Taiwan to work out effective solutions. Early this month, the ministry sent six groups composed of 70 Chinese police officers to the six countries to further investigate.