Hu Jintao due on ASEAN eve [in Cambodia]

Chinese President Hu Jintao waves after arriving at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickham for the APEC summit in Honolulu, Hawaii in November of last year. Hu will visit Cambodia later this month. Photo by Reuters

Vong Sokheng
Wednesday, 21 March 2012
Phnom Penh Post

Chinese President Hu Jintao will arrive in Phnom Penh for an official visit just days before Cambodia hosts the ASEAN Summit, a government statement released yesterday says.

Hu Jintao and his wife Liu Yongqing will arrive in Cambodia on March 30 and leave on April 2, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement says.

During that time, the couple will meet with King Norodom Sihamoni, Prime Minister Hun Sen, Senate president Chea Sim and National Assembly president Heng Samrin.

They will also visit Angkor Wat, in Siem Reap province.

“During the visit, [Hu Jintao and Hun Sen] will preside over the signing ceremony of some documents,” the statement reads. The details or nature of these documents are not elaborated on.

Chheang Vanarith, director of the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace, said Hu Jintao was unlikely to mention the South China Sea.

“I think China’s position has changed. Therefore, Hu Jintao will try to lobby to widen co-operation between China and ASEAN before he leaves power in October,” Chheang Vanarith said.

The ASEAN delegation will arrive on April 2 for the summit on April 3 and 4.