Chinese president, Cambobian king hail bilateral ties, vowing further cooperation

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) shakes hands with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni during their meeting in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, August 11, 2005.

Chinese President Hu Jintao met with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni Thursday in Beijing. The two leaders hailed the Sino-Cambodian friendship, vowing to promote cooperation in agriculture, natural resources, education and sanitation.

Hu Jintao said Chinese and Cambodian people share long-term friendship.

The Sino-Cambodian friendship cultivated by generations of Chinese leaders and former Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk has become a "common treasure of the two peoples", he said.

In the new century, the Sino-Cambodian relationship is becoming closer with frequent exchanges of visits by the two countries' leaders and remarkable cooperation in all fields, Hu said.

China appreciates that Cambodia adheres to the one-China policy and firmly support Chinese government's stance on the Taiwan question, Hu noted.

"It has been proved that we are good neighbors, good friends and good partners with mutual-trust and close cooperation," he said.

The Chinese government attaches importance to the Sino-Cambodian relations and cherishes the unique friendship with the Cambodian royal family.

Hu said he welcomes the King and the royal family members to visit China and supports the two countries' governments, parliaments and parties to enhance exchanges and develop friendship.

On Sino-Cambodian trade and economic cooperation, Hu said a solid foundation has been laid and he hopes the two countries will perfectly implement arranged cooperation projects.

He appealed to the two countries to strengthen cooperation in agriculture,infrastructure construction and natural resources exploration.

The president also proposed to expand exchange and cooperation in culture, education, sanitation, sports and tourism and intensify communication and coordination in international and regional affairs.

Sihamoni spoke highly of the Cambodia-China friendship forged by his father Sihanouk and Chinese leaders, saying to inherit and promote the two people's friendship is also the aspiration of the royal family.

The King said Cambodia and China are good neighbors and the two peoples, good friends. The Cambodian people feel happy on the economic and social development scored by the Chinese people and will never forget the valuable support from them.

He reiterated that Cambodia will stick to the one-China policy and further contribute to the cooperation between the two countries.

Sihamoni arrived here Wednesday afternoon for a five-day state visit to China at the invitation of President Hu Jintao.

This is King Sihamoni's first state visit in China since he became the Cambodian king in October last year.

Besides Beijing, King Sihamoni will travel to Tianjin, an industrial port city in north China.

Source: Xinhua