Cambodian King flies to Beijing for routine medical checkup

PHNOM PENH - Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, along with his mother, former Queen Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, left here on Wednesday for Beijing, capital of China, for a regular medical checkup and treatment.

At the Phnom Penh International Airport, the royal family was seen off by Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen and other leaders as well as Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian.

In a royal message to the compatriots, Sihamoni, 66, said his trip to Beijing was to have a medical checkup and treatment.

"During my absence, Samdech Say Chhum, president of the Senate, will assume the title of the acting Head of State of the Kingdom of Cambodia," he said.

The monarch has his health checked up by Chinese doctors twice a year. His last trip was made in August.