Cambodia celebrates 54th Independence Day

PHNOM PENH, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia King Norodom Sihamoni ignited the torch inside the Independence Monument to symbolize the country's liberation from 90 years' colonial rule by France, while hosting the national ceremony to mark the 54th Independence Day here on Friday.

"The victorious torch stands for our freedom and the soul of our nation," said Min Khin, secretary general of the National Committee for Organizing National and International Festivals, adding that the torch fire will remain burning for three days.

Prime Minister Hun Sen, Senate President Chea Sim, National Assembly President Heng Samrin and other senior country leaders, together with more than 20,000 students, civil servants, armed forces, government officials and foreign diplomats, also attended the ceremony.

"Today we celebrate our Independence Day. We now have freedom and we manage the country by ourselves," said Min Khin.

"We have always remembered the achievements of retired king Norodom Sihanouk, who did his crusade to win independence from France in 1953. Our people can sacrifice their lives for the independence of the country," he added.

At the ceremony, a number of large size file photos of Sihanouk and Sihamoni could be seen at the hands of the audience.

Meanwhile, Cambodian-language newspaper the Rasmey Kampuchea on Friday printed a lengthy editorial, praising the kingdom for its economic prosperity and politic stability and reviewing its history after the independence was won.

"Now, Cambodia is led by Prime Minister Hun Sen. We have political stability for nearly ten years. We are walking on the right track of development and multi-party system in the process of democracy," it said.