Chinese state councilor calls upon former Cambodian King

Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan on Sunday called upon former Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk, who is in Beijing for routine medical checkup, entrusted by Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao.

Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, who came to China to celebrate his father's 83rd birthday, was present at the meeting.

Tang conveyed the birthday greetings and birthday regards of President Hu and Premier Wen to Sihanouk. He said Sihanouk is a very respectful old friend of the Chinese people who has made outstanding contributions to promoting China-Cambodia relations.

"China will continue to work with Cambodia to further traditional friendship between the two countries, and upgrade the bilateral good-neighborly cooperative ties to a new level," Tang said.

He believed Cambodia will make even greater progress in achieving peace, stability and development under the leadership of King Norodom Sihamoni.

Sihanouk thanked Tang for the special call on behalf of Hu and Wen. Describing China as his second hometown, he said that since the 1970s, he has established sincere friendship with the Chinese leaders of the elder generation.

He said the traditional friendly affection that the Chinese government and people conveyed to himself and the Cambodian people will be cherished forever.

The retired king also expressed appreciation for the support and help the Chinese government and people have offered to Cambodia in maintaining national sovereignty and territorial integrity and developing the economy.

Source: Xinhua