Leung Chun-ying, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and chairman of charitable organization GX Foundation, was awarded on Sept 15 the Knight Grand Officer of the Royal Order of Monisaraphon by Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Neth Savoeun.
The title was given in recognition of Leung’s significant contribution to Cambodia’s healthcare sector.
The GX Foundation, a medical humanitarian aid charitable organization based in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, has conducted over 7,700 screenings and performed 5,800 surgeries in Cambodia through its Cataract Blindness Elimination Programme.
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In July last year, GX launched the Project for Health Protection against Dengue Fever in Cambodia’s Kampong Speu province and along the Phnom Penh–Sihanoukville Expressway, a project under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), installing mosquito lamps and distributing educational materials at rest areas and staff lounges to help reduce the risk of dengue infection among local communities.
Expressing deep honor of the distinction, Leung extended special thanks to the Cambodian government, the Health Commission of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, local Chinese companies and other parties involved in the foundation’s projects.
Leung said he will continue promoting cooperation between China and Cambodia in public health, fostering people-to-people connectivity, and contributing to the construction of an all-weather China–Cambodia community with a shared future.
The Royal Order of Monisaraphon is primarily awarded to individuals who have made outstanding achievements and significant contributions in education, arts, science, literacy, or social work.
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In September 2022, Leung was awarded the Royal Order of Monisaraphon at the Knight Commander rank.
Emily Chan Ying-yang, CEO of GX Foundation, was conferred the Knight Officer rank, while GX’s senior advisor Chung Pui-sing, Cambodian advisors Yum Sui-sang, Luu Meng, Ber Ly, Luong Chan-huy, Wong Hon-ping, as well as Southeast Asia project director Lam Wing-yin were awarded the Knight rank.
Currently, over 22,000 free cataract surgeries have been completed by GX Foundation’s Cataract Blindness Elimination Programme in Laos, Cambodia, Djibouti, Mauritania, and Senegal.
Contact the writer at kelly@chinadailyapac.com
