Cambodia-China tie reaches high level after 55-year development: Cambodian top diplomat

PHNOM PENH, April 29, 2013 (Xinhua) -- The relations and cooperation between Cambodia and China have reached a high level after the leaders of both sides have forged and fostered them for 55 years, Cambodian top diplomat said Monday.

Speaking at a meeting with outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Pan Guangxue, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said the year 2013 marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cambodia and the "China-Cambodia Friendship Year".

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs would cooperate with the Chinese Embassy to Cambodia to organize various activities to mark the anniversary, he said, adding that there would be as many activities as possible to fit with the level of progress in relations and cooperation between the two countries.

He said Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen had already visited China early this month to strengthen the bilateral ties with new Chinese leaders, and the country hoped that Chinese senior leaders would make official visits to Cambodia this year in order to further enhance the relations.

The relationship between Cambodia and China reached top level in December 2010 when the leaders of the two countries established the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Cooperation, and during Hun Sen's visit to China early this month, the two sides established an inter-governmental coordination committee to jointly implement the Action Plan on the Implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Cooperation.

The committee, co-chaired by Hor Namhong and former Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, will be convened for the first time in the near future.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Pan highly spoke of good relations between China and Cambodia in all fields, especially in politics, trade, investment, and tourism.

He said China would continue providing assistance to Cambodia for social and economic development.

China is Cambodia's largest aid provider and the country's top investor. From 1994 to 2012, Chinese investment in Cambodia totaled 9.17 billion U.S. dollars, according to the Council for the Development of Cambodia.

On bilateral trade, China is one of Cambodia's leading trading partners. Last year, the bilateral trade valued at 2.9 billion U.S. dollars, and it is expected to reach 5 billion U.S. dollars by 2017.