Cambodia marks 70th Independence Day, vowing to stay united as one

STORY: Cambodia marks 70th Independence Day, vowing to stay united as one SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 9, 2023 DATELINE: Nov. 10, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:41 LOCATION: Phnom Penh CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of 70th Independence Day of Cambodia STORYLINE: Cambodia celebrated the 70th anniversary of its independence on Thursday, vowing to stay united as one to safeguard the kingdom's peace, security, stability and development. The celebration was held under the auspices of the nation's King Norodom Sihamoni and was attended by National Assembly President Khuon Sudary, Senate President Say Chhum and Prime Minister Hun Manet. During the celebration, Sihamoni laid a wreath and lit the ceremonial victory fire inside the Independence Monument to symbolize the country's independence from colonial rule. After the event at the Independence Monument, the king and the prime minister traveled in open-top cars to the front side of the Royal Palace, where they joined the Independence Day commemorative gathering.

CAMBODIA-PHNOM PENH-70TH INDEPENDENCE DAY-CELEBRATION

CAMBODIA-PHNOM PENH-70TH INDEPENDENCE DAY-CELEBRATION

(231109) -- PHNOM PENH, Nov. 9, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni (C) lights the ceremonial victory fire inside the Independence Monument during the Independence Day celebration in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Nov. 9, 2023. Cambodia celebrated the 70th anniversary of its independence on Thursday, vowing to stay united as one to safeguard the kingdom's peace, security, stability and development. The celebration was held under the auspices of the nation's King Norodom Sihamoni and was attended by National Assembly President Khuon Sudary, Senate President Say Chhum and Prime Minister Hun Manet. (Photo by Sovannara/Xinhua)

CAMBODIA-PHNOM PENH-70TH INDEPENDENCE DAY-CELEBRATION

CAMBODIA-PHNOM PENH-70TH INDEPENDENCE DAY-CELEBRATION

(231109) -- PHNOM PENH, Nov. 9, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni (in the front car) and Prime Minister Hun Manet (in the back car) attend the Independence Day celebration in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Nov. 9, 2023. Cambodia celebrated the 70th anniversary of its independence on Thursday, vowing to stay united as one to safeguard the kingdom's peace, security, stability and development. The celebration was held under the auspices of the nation's King Norodom Sihamoni and was attended by National Assembly President Khuon Sudary, Senate President Say Chhum and Prime Minister Hun Manet. (Photo by Sovannara/Xinhua)

CAMBODIA-PHNOM PENH-70TH INDEPENDENCE DAY-CELEBRATION

CAMBODIA-PHNOM PENH-70TH INDEPENDENCE DAY-CELEBRATION

(231109) -- PHNOM PENH, Nov. 9, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni inspects the guard of honor during the Independence Day celebration in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Nov. 9, 2023. Cambodia celebrated the 70th anniversary of its independence on Thursday, vowing to stay united as one to safeguard the kingdom's peace, security, stability and development. The celebration was held under the auspices of the nation's King Norodom Sihamoni and was attended by National Assembly President Khuon Sudary, Senate President Say Chhum and Prime Minister Hun Manet. (Photo by Sovannara/Xinhua)

CAMBODIA-PHNOM PENH-70TH INDEPENDENCE DAY-CELEBRATION

CAMBODIA-PHNOM PENH-70TH INDEPENDENCE DAY-CELEBRATION

(231109) -- PHNOM PENH, Nov. 9, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni (C) attends the Independence Day celebration in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Nov. 9, 2023. Cambodia celebrated the 70th anniversary of its independence on Thursday, vowing to stay united as one to safeguard the kingdom's peace, security, stability and development. The celebration was held under the auspices of the nation's King Norodom Sihamoni and was attended by National Assembly President Khuon Sudary, Senate President Say Chhum and Prime Minister Hun Manet. (Photo by Sovannara/Xinhua)

CAMBODIA-PHNOM PENH-70TH INDEPENDENCE DAY-CELEBRATION

CAMBODIA-PHNOM PENH-70TH INDEPENDENCE DAY-CELEBRATION

(231109) -- PHNOM PENH, Nov. 9, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet (C) attends the Independence Day celebration in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Nov. 9, 2023. Cambodia celebrated the 70th anniversary of its independence on Thursday, vowing to stay united as one to safeguard the kingdom's peace, security, stability and development. The celebration was held under the auspices of the nation's King Norodom Sihamoni and was attended by National Assembly President Khuon Sudary, Senate President Say Chhum and Prime Minister Hun Manet. (Photo by Sovannara/Xinhua)

"Guardian Spirit" ritual celebrated in Cambodia

STORY: "Guardian Spirit" ritual celebrated in Cambodia DATELINE: May 25, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:40 LOCATION: Phnom Penh CATEGORY: SOCIETY/CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of the ritual 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Khmer): CHHUM SOK, Organizer 3. various of a parade 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Khmer): POV PHALLA, Participant 5. various of locals STORYLINE: Dozens of villagers on the northwest outskirts of Phnom Penh in Cambodia painted their faces and bodies and donned grass skirts on Wednesday as they celebrated an annual traditional ritual to ask a "guardian spirit" to bring good fortune and rain for their rice crop. Held at Boeung village, about 25 kilometers from central Phnom Penh, the Guardian Spirit Pring Ka-ek prayer festival was also intended to drive off evil spirits, keeping cattle healthy and rice yields large. Chhum Sok, an 81-year-old veteran member of the festival organizing committee, said the ritual has existed in the village for centuries. SOUNDBITE 1 (Khmer): CHHUM SOK, Organizer "This Guardian Spirit Pring Ka-ek pray

Rural Cambodian students say hello to donated Chinese bikes

STORY: Rural Cambodian students say hello to donated Chinese bikes DATELINE: April 10, 2022 LENGTH: 0:01:52 LOCATION: TAKEO, Cambodia CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. students riding bikes 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Cambodian): CHHUM SEAVLING, Student at Chok Primary School 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Cambodian): LEANG SREYNET, Student at Chok Primary School 4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Cambodian): KHUON CHHORN, Principal of Chok Primary School 5. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): ZHOU JINXIU, Vice president of Hello Inc. STORYLINE: 12-year-old Chhum Seavling is quite used to walking a few kilometers to school each day. Her family can not afford a bicycle for her, so when Hello Inc. donated some of the company's previously shared bikes to rural kids in Cambodia, it was a life changing event. SOUNDBITE 1 (Cambodian): CHHUM SEAVLING, Student at Chok Primary School "It was really difficult since the weather was hot. Sometimes I want to drop out of school because I have nothing to ride to school. But now, I have got a bike provided by Chinese donors, which