China pledges to consolidate ties with Cambodia

Xinhua | 2 September, 2012

By Agencies

Chinese premier Wen Jiabao (R) shakes hand with Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Sen in Urumqi, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, September 2, 2012. Photo: Xinhua

Chinese premier Wen Jiabao on Sunday pledged to consolidate China's traditional friendly relations with Cambodia and promote cooperation between the two countries.

The pledge was made by Wen in a meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on the sidelines of the second China-Eurasia Expo, being held in Urumqi of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in Northwest China.

"China and Cambodia are intimate neighbors, whose relationship has withstood the test of time and practice," according to Wen.

He said China was ready to consolidate their friendly ties and deepen cooperation in such areas as transportation infrastructure, agriculture and health.

Next year marks the 55th anniversary of China-Cambodia diplomatic relations and the Year of China-Cambodia Friendship. Wen said he hoped this would provide an opportunity to push bilateral ties to a new high.

With regard to the current situation in East Asia, the premier said maintaining unity, developing and strengthening cooperation is the most important task for the region, which is facing some challenges amid a good overall situation.

He voiced appreciation for Cambodia, which holds the rotating chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), for its important role in maintaining the overall situation of friendly relations between China and the ASEAN.

China will closely coordinate with Cambodia, and support the country to make the upcoming series of meetings for East Asian leaders a success, the premier said.

He added that China will also work with ASEAN nations to promote East Asian cooperation.

Hun Sen said Cambodia's friendly relations with China, having solid foundations, remain unshakable and will become even firmer as time goes by.

Cambodia is ready to make closer high-level exchanges with China, strengthen their consultation on bilateral and regional affairs, plan cooperation in all areas, strengthen cultural and youth exchanges, and promote the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation, he vowed.