China urges Cambodian dialogue

BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman on Tuesday urged Cambodian parties to settle differences through dialogue. "We expect Cambodian parties to give priority to national interests, express appeals by legal means, properly settle differences and safeguard the country's stability and tranquility," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a daily press briefing. Hua made the remarks when asked to comment on the recent demonstrations and strikes organized by National Rescue Party, Cambodia's main opposition party. As a friendly neighbor, China supports the Cambodian government's positive efforts to safeguard stability and accomplish economic development, Hua said. On China-Cambodia relations, Hua reviewed the engagement between leaders of the two countries in 2013, saying leaders have reached important consensuses on bilateral friendship. As guest of Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong will come to Beijing on Wednesday for the first meeting of Cambodia-China Inter-governmental Coordination Committee, Hua said. The meeting, one of the consensuses between leaders in April, aims at planning and boosting bilateral cooperation and settling the major issues popping up in collaboration, Hua said. "I believe the meeting will play a positive role in deepening bilateral all-round strategic partnership," Hua said. Related: Cambodia-China meeting to deepen bilateral ties, cooperation PHNOM PENH, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- The first meeting of Cambodia- China Inter-governmental Coordination Committee to be held on Jan. 1-3 in Beijing is crucial to further develop and deepen relations and cooperation between the two countries, a Cambodian official said Tuesday. "It is very important to strengthen and deepen relations of longstanding and close friendship and productive cooperation in all fields between Cambodia and China,"Koy Kuong, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told reporters.  Full story