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The Cambodian leader has put on a display of affection for cruise ship passengers who were stranded at sea for two weeks over coronavirus fears.

Prime Minister Hun Sen greeted travellers on the shunned Westerdam ship with flowers and kisses after agreeing to let them disembark in the city of Sihanoukville on Thursday.

He came to their rescue after Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines and Guam barred the ship from docking at their ports, despite no cases of the deadly disease being recorded on board.

As the 1,400 passengers arrived on dry land he said: ‘Although Cambodia is a poor country, Cambodia has always joined the international community to solve the problems that the world and our region are facing’.


Prime Minister Hun Sen greets passengers as they depart the MS Westerdam cruise ship at a seaport in Preah Sihanouk province, Cambodia (Picture: EPA)

He welcomed passengers on the shunned ship with open arms (Picture: AFP)

Hun Sen personally greets the passengers with kisses after allowing them to disembark (Picture: AFP)

The passengers had been stranded for two weeks (Picture:AP)

Cruise operator Holland America Line said around 20 people on the Westerdam had reported stomach aches or fever, but tests for the coronavirus showed none had the illness.



Despite this, the ship was unwelcome in five countries, resulting in travellers and crew members being stranded at sea for two weeks.

Mr Sen said he acted for humanitarian reasons and wanted to allow passengers to return to their home countries.

‘If Cambodia did not allow this ship to dock here, where should this ship go?’ he said.

‘I want to inform Cambodians and the world that I coming here even for a short time means this is no time for discrimination and to be scared, but a time for everyone to be in solidarity to solve the problems we are facing now.’

A jubilant passenger reacts as he disembarks from the Westerdam cruise ship in Sihanoukville (Picture: AFP)

The MS Westerdam was rejected from docking at five countries before it arrived in Cambodia (Picture: AP)

Passengers were invited to explore the country after they left the ship (Picture:AP)

Cambodia is a close ally of China’s and the country has downplayed coronavirus fears (Picture: EPA)

The authoritarian PM, who has ruled the country for 35 years, is a strong supporter of China.

He has previously downplayed threats from the novel disease and unlike other Asian nations, he declined to ban direct flights between Cambodia and China, saying that would hurt his country’s economy.

Cambodia has one confirmed case of the virus – a visitor from China.

Taking advantage of the opportunity to boost his country’s tourism profile, Hun Sen said the passengers were free to go to the beach, go sightseeing in backpacker hotspot Sihanoukville or even visit the famous centuries-old Angkor Wat temple complex in Siem Reap.

Thousands of passengers were on board the ship but none tested positive for coronavirus (Picture: AFP)

Passengers thanked Cambodia for allowing them onto dry land (Picture: AFP)

Passengers wave from the MS Westerdam cruise ship as they arrive in Sihanouk province, Cambodia (Picture: EPA)

The passengers of Westerdam cheered as they walked toward waiting buses. Many chose to wear traditional Cambodian scarfs around their necks as a sign of thanks.

Joe Spaziani, 74, from Florida, told local reporters: ‘Your country did a great job. Did a wonderful job. Thank you very much. We appreciate it very much.

‘Even the United States, Guam, did not let us land, but Cambodia did, so that’s wonderful. Absolutely wonderful. It’s been a long struggle and we appreciate everyone being here.’

Vice governor in Preah Sihanouk province,Mang Sineth, said around 400 passengers will leave the port Friday and fly to Cambodia’s capital before travelling to their final destinations.

It is hoped that all passengers will be able to leave Sihanoukville for their home countries by Sunday.

U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia W. Patrick Murphy called the disembarking activities ‘heartwarming sights … with Cambodian hospitality on full display.’





Heartwarming sights in Sihanoukville as passengers begin disembarking from the #Westerdam – with Cambodian hospitality on full display. Lots of work ahead involving busses, planes & transits, but joint operation âHomeward Boundâ is underway! pic.twitter.com/cHGytRkDf9 — Ambassador W. Patrick Murphy (@USAmbCambodia) February 14, 2020

The COVID-19 illness has infected over 60,000 people world wide and killed over 1,000, mostly in mainland China.



The Westerdam began its cruise in Singapore last month and was rejected after making a stop in Hong Kong, where 53 cases of the disease and one death have been confirmed.

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