King Norodom Sihamoni announced on Tuesday he will depart for China for a health checkup on April 1, the departure coming as Cambodia deals with the coronavirus pandemic and a new “state of emergency” draft law would need to be promulgated soon.
A statement from the Royal Palace said that the King and Queen Mother Monineath Sihanouk would depart on Wednesday for Beijing for a health checkup, assigning as per law Senate President Say Chhum as head of state in the King’s absence.
“I would like to say that Samdech Vibol Sena Pheakdey Say Chhum, the President of Senate, will assist me the title of the acting Head of State,” read the statement.