国际英语新闻:Cambodia celebrates 66th anniversary of independence from French rule

PHNOM PENH, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia commemorated the 66th anniversary of the declaration of Independence Day from the French colonial rule on Saturday.

Nation's King Norodom Sihamoni, accompanied by Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen, laid a wreath and lit the ceremonial victory fire inside the capital's Independence Monument to symbolize the country's independence from France.

The victory flame will be kept burning for three days.

The celebration was attended by approximately 10,000 people, who are leaders, senior officials, foreign diplomats, armed forces, civil servants, residents and students.

At the end of the event, pigeons and balloons were released as a sign of independence and freedom.

In a post to his official Facebook page, Hun Sen said Nov. 9 reminded the people of a noble mission made by late Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk to demand independence from the French colonial rule.

"The king had sacrificed both physical and mental energies in his royal crusade to gain the full independence for Cambodia," he said.

The Southeast Asian nation won its independence from France on Nov. 9, 1953.

France had ruled Cambodia for 90 years (1863-1953).