Forging ties: Wang (left) shaking hands with Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh. — AFP
Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister-designate Sok Chenda Sophea, during which the two sides pledged to boost bilateral ties.
Sophea, also the minister delegate attached to the Cambodian Prime Minister, said Wang’s visit is the most timely and powerful support for Cambodia.
China has always given a helping hand to Cambodia at critical moments to help the South-East Asian country achieve peace, stability, development and revitalisation, which has strengthened its confidence and ability to safeguard independence, he added.
Noting that bilateral cooperation has helped Cambodia rapidly improve people’s livelihood, Sophea said that Cambodia looks forward to working with China to continuously enhance the strategic nature of Cambodia-China relations, expand cooperation areas and set a good example for the high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the traditional friendship between China and Cambodia, forged by the older generation of leaders of the two countries, is long-tested and ironclad, which is the most valuable asset of both sides and deserves to be cherished.
Noting that China attaches great importance to China-Cambodia relations, Wang said that China will always be a reliable partner for Cambodia to seek development and revitalisation, and a strong supporter when Cambodia encounters difficulties.
Calling the recent general election in Cambodia a great success, Wang said the support of the general public provides the greatest confidence and solid foundation for the Cambodian People’s Party to face up to challenges and eliminate external interference.
Wang said China is ready to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with Cambodia, and enrich the bilateral “diamond hexagon” cooperation framework that covers politics, production capacity, agriculture, energy, security and people-to-people exchanges.
The two sides also exchanged views on deepening cooperation between China and Asean. They agreed to maintain close communication and coordination, support Asean centrality and promote regional peace, stability and development.Cambodia is the last leg of Wang’s South-East Asian tour which has taken him to Singapore and Malaysia. — Xinhua
