China, Cambodia Pledge to Further Promote Partnership

2013-09-12    Xinhua       

Web Editor: Mao Yaqing

Senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official Liu Yunshan and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen met Wednesday and agreed to further advance the two countries' comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

China is a friendly neighbor and faithful partner of Cambodia, said Liu, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

"China will firmly stick to a friendly Cambodia policy, and continue supporting Cambodia's efforts to promote national unity, social stability, economic development and the people's welfare," he added.

Liu, who arrived here Wednesday for an official visit at the invitation of the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and the Funcinpec Party, congratulated Hun Sen, who is also vice president of the CPP, on the party's victory in the recent general election.

According to the Cambodian National Election Committee's final results of the July election, the CPP gained 68 seats while the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party took the remaining 55 seats.

Noting that Cambodia has made great progress on the development path it has chosen in line with its own conditions, Liu said China will continue to provide assistance for Cambodia's development.

Liu lauded the current momentum in the development of bilateral relations, and expressed China's gratitude for Cambodia's firm support on issues involving China's core interests.

Beijing, he added, is ready to work with Cambodia to maintain high-level visits, enhance economic cooperation, expand cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and step up communication and coordination on major international affairs.

The relationship between the ruling parties is an important part of the bilateral ties, Liu said, adding that he looks forward to more exchanges between the CPC and the CPP about experience of party management and national governance.

Hun Sen, for his part, noted that Cambodian and Chinese leaders have met many times this year, which marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of the bilateral diplomatic ties.

China is a real friend with which Cambodia can share weal and woe, he said, adding that the Cambodian people will not forget China's selfless assistance for Cambodia's economic development and firm support for its efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and political independence.

Regarding the relationship between the two ruling parties, Hun Sen said he hopes the CPC will continue supporting the CPP.

Also on Wednesday, Liu met separately with Heng Samrin, president of the Cambodian National Assembly and honorary chairman of the CPP, and Princess Norodom Arun Rasmey, leader of the royalist Funcinpec Party.

When meeting with Heng Samrin, Liu said China and Cambodia are "good neighbors, good friends, good partners and good brothers."

Liu spoke highly of the role the two nations' parliaments have played in promoting bilateral ties, adding that he hopes the two sides will further expand parliamentary exchanges.

As this year is also a "China-Cambodia Friendship Year," the two sides should grasp the opportunity to further advance the bilateral relationship, said the CPC official.

Noting that the CPC and the CPP both face development tasks and governance tests, Liu said the CPC is willing to work with the CPP to promote party-to-party and state-to-state exchanges and cooperation.

Heng Samrin said Cambodia and China enjoy high level of political mutual trust, with broadening cooperation in economy, culture and education and deepening exchanges between governments, political parties and legislatures.

Cambodia will continue to work with China to further advance their partnership, he added.

During his meeting with Princess Norodom Arun Rasmey, Liu lauded the time-tested China-Cambodia friendship and the unprecedented level of bilateral practical cooperation, saying the two sides have set a good example of state-to-state relations.

Liu said the Funcinpec Party, founded by late King Father Norodom Sihanouk, has inherited the traditional friendship between the two countries, and the CPC values its relationship with the party.

The CPC is willing to continue enhancing exchanges and cooperation with the Funcinpec Party to further cement the friendship between two peoples, he added.

"We believe that the Funcinpec Party will continue to play a positive and constructive role in safeguarding peace and stability in Cambodia and deepening the China-Cambodia friendship," Liu added.

Princess Norodom Arun Rasmey said the Funcinpec Party is firmly committed to safeguarding peace, unity and stability in Cambodia and will stick to its friendly policy to China.

Liu's visit, she added, is of great significance to the further consolidation of the friendship between the two nations.

Cambodia is the last leg of Liu's ongoing four-country tour, which has taken him to Belarus, Ukraine and Sri Lanka.