Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni attends the ceremony marking the 64th anniversary of independence in Phnom Penh Nov. 9, 2017. Cambodia commemorated the 64th anniversary of its independence from France at the Independence Monument on Thursday. (Xinhua/Sovannara)
PHNOM PENH, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia marked the 64th anniversary of its independence from France in a one-hour-and-a-half ceremony at the Independence Monument here on Thursday.
King Norodom Sihamoni, accompanied by Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen, laid a wreath and lit the ceremonial victory fire inside the Independence Monument to symbolize the country's independence from the French colonial rule.
The victory flame will be kept burning for three days.
Live televised on the state-owned National Television of Cambodia (TVK), the celebration was attended by about 15,000 people, who are senior officials, foreign diplomats, armed forces, civil servants, residents and students.
At night, there will be a firework display over the Tonle Sap River in front of the Royal Palace.
The Southeast Asian nation gained full independence from the French protectorate on Nov. 9, 1953.
