China, Cambodia agree to further advance ties

China and Cambodia agreed on Thursday to further advance their comprehensive relations of strategic cooperation and partnership in accordance with the will of late Cambodian King-Father Norodom Sihanouk.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen told visiting Chinese State Councillor Dai Bingguo on Thursday morning that Cambodia "will firmly adhere to a friendly policy toward China and push the comprehensive relations of strategic cooperation and partnership between the two countries up to a new high along with China."

Dai arrived here on Wednesday afternoon for escorting the coffin of Sihanouk back home.

Hun thanked China's meticulous arrangements for Sihanouk. "China's care for King-Father Sihanouk during the past years has erected a monument of Cambodia-China friendship in the hearts of the Cambodian people," he said.

He also told Dai that Cambodia attaches importance to cooperation with China on regional and multilateral affairs. Cambodia will host a series of meetings of East Asian leaders next month. "Cambodia is willing to work closely with China for the success of the meetings," he said.

Dai again expressed condolences and sympathy over the death of King-Father Sihanouk, commending the late king as "a great friend of the Chinese people."h He said the Chinese people will firmly stand side by side with the Cambodian people and believes that the Cambodian people can build up a better country by inheriting King-Father Sihanouk's will.

He also spoke highly of the mutual trust, mutual support and earnest assistance between the two countries.

China supports Cambodia in hosting the East Asian leaders' meetings next month and will work together with Cambodia to make sure that the meetings, featuring solidarity, cooperation and development, will promote regional peace, stability and prosperity, he said.

Dai also met with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Nam Hong and exchanged views with him on bilateral ties and regional issues of mutual interests.