Cambodian retired King Norodom Sihanouk and Queen Monineath Sihanouk left Phnom Penh on Saturday morning for Beijing for routine medical checkup and rest.

The former King and Queen went to Beijing accompanied by their son, King Norodom Sihamoni, who will have a short stay in Beijing with his parent and have a medical checkup in Beijing and France. The King will also pay visits to Czech and Slovakia.

The former King was seen off at the Phnom Penh International Airport by Senate President Chea Sim, Prime Minister Hun Sen and other government officials as well as royal family members and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Zhang Jinfeng.

Sihanouk suffers from diabetes and has had colon cancer. He abdicated his throne to his son in October 2004.

The retired monarch returned home on May after 10 months abroad. During their stay at home, the couple often granted an audience and distributed their relief in Phnom Penh's Royal Palace to people from provinces. They also stayed in Siem Reap nearly one month.

Source: Xinhua