Cambodian Minister of Tourism and Secretaries of State from Cambodia’s Ministry of Health visit Hong Kong for GX Foundation charity dinner promoting medical aid initiatives

On December 3, the “GX Foundation Khmer Cuisine Charity Dinner” was held to raise funds for medical aid projects in Cambodia and celebrate the China-Cambodia Year of People-to-People Exchanges. Hosted by GX Foundation Chairman Mr. LEUNG Chun-ying, the event welcomed distinguished guests including Minister of Tourism of the Kingdom of Cambodia Mr. HUOT Hak, Secretaries of State from the Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Cambodia Dr. YOUK Sambath and Dr. SUNG Vinntak, Deputy Commissioner of the Commissioner’s Office of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong S.A.R. Mr. LI Yong-sheng, and Consul General of the Kingdom of Cambodia in Hong Kong, Mr. YOS Sokhemrin. 

The dinner gathered 300 prominent business leaders and GX Foundation supporters across 27 tables, with the event emceed by Ms. CHAN Pui-yee Janis, a well-known Hong Kong host. The evening also featured a charity sale of Ningxia wine, with all proceeds directly contributing to GX Foundation's medical aid projects in Cambodia. These initiatives include the provision of free cataract surgeries and dengue fever prevention for those in need.

Strengthening China-Cambodia Friendship with a Culinary Exchange

The dinner, featuring authentic Khmer cuisine, served as a cultural exchange between China and Cambodia, offering guests an immersive experience of Cambodian culture. GX Chairman Mr. LEUNG Chun-ying stated, “GX colleagues and I build strong bonds in Cambodia as we do elsewhere with government officials, medical personnel, patients, and their families. Hawkers in the markets refuse to take money from our Guangxi doctors and nurses, and villagers quietly leave their farm produce on the bicycles parked outside our quarters”. Food has become a popular form of compensation for GX colleagues stationed in Cambodia, symbolising the gratitude and warmth of the local community.

Deputy Commissioner Mr. LI Yong-sheng remarked: “Through its medical aid and public health assistance work in Cambodia, GX Foundation has strongly promoted people-to-people connectivity, strengthened the friendship between our nations, demonstrated the warmth of the Belt and Road Initiative, showcased China's commitment, and highlighted Hong Kong's contributions”.

Renowned Khmer Chef Travels Far and Wide to Create a Cultural Feast

As the highlight of the evening, Khmer cuisine became a wonderful avenue for cultural exchange between China and Cambodia. The evening’s chef, Mr. LUU Meng, is not only an advisor for GX Foundation's projects in Cambodia but also a highly celebrated Cambodian culinary expert. To present the most authentic Khmer cuisine, Mr. LUU Meng travelled extensively throughout Cambodia, visiting villages and markets to learn cooking techniques from locals and uncover traditional recipes that were on the verge of being lost.

Thanks to his efforts, many classic Khmer dishes were revitalised at the dinner. The evening’s menu included Royal Mak Mee (Crab Vermicelli), Samlor Prohar Slek Marom (Moringa Herbs Soup), and more. Inspiration for the Machu Kdat Kchong Srea (Taro Snail Stew) came from Prey Veng Province, where GX’s first Cambodian project site was located, while the Crème Brûlée with Kampot Long Pepper and Salted Ice Cream took inspiration from Kampong Speu Province, GX’s newest project site in Cambodia. These dishes, whether in terms of taste, colour, or presentation, fully embodied the unique charm of Khmer cuisine.

To complement the cuisine, the dinner also featured selected red and white wines from the Ningxia Xige Estate, allowing guests to indulge in the harmonic fusion of gourmet food and fine wine.

This dinner coincides with the 2024 China-Cambodia Year of People-to-People Exchanges, marking another opportunity to deepen cultural ties and cooperation between the two nations. As an international humanitarian aid organisation, GX Foundation embodies the spirit of "sharing" under the Belt and Road Initiative, fostering mutual understanding through practical action.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, GX has donated emergency relief supplies to Cambodia and deployed medical teams to provide free cataract surgeries in the region. To date, GX has successfully completed over 4,000 free cataract surgeries, eliminating the backlog of cataract cases in Prey Veng Province. In October this year, GX launched the "Cataract Blindness Elimination Programme" and the "Project for Health Protection against Dengue Fever" in Kampong Speu Province, further strengthening collaboration between the two nations.