China, Cambodia keen to strengthen close ties

China highly commends the Cambodian royal family for its positive contributions to carrying forward the China-Cambodia friendship and promoting bilateral exchange and cooperation, Premier Li Keqiang said when meeting Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni in Phnom Penh on Friday.

Li, who is paying an official visit to the country, said China is willing to provide assistance within its ability to Cambodia, to develop the economy and improve people's wellbeing.

Noting that China and Cambodia are good friends, brothers and partners, Li said the two countries have always treated each other on an equal basis with mutual respect, and supported each other on issues involving respective core interests and major concerns.

China stands ready to maintain close high-level exchanges with the Southeast Asian nation and to deepen mutual trust and cooperation so as to bring more benefits to the two countries and their peoples, the premier said.

Li also said that his official visit to Cambodia has enabled positive achievements that will help promote the continued and steady advancement of relations between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Speaking about the series of meetings on East Asian cooperation that he will attend in Cambodia, the premier said China expects to send out a positive signal that East Asian countries are coordinating in solidarity and jointly seeking development to deal with challenges.

King Sihamoni said both the Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk and he cherished the friendship with China and thanked China for providing all-around support for Cambodia in various fields.

Cambodia firmly follows the one-China principle and supports building a closer Cambodia-China community with a shared future, he said.

He also said that Cambodia is willing to consolidate and deepen the bilateral traditional friendship with China and to strive for new results in bilateral cooperation.