China, Cambodia pledge closer cooperation

JAKARTA - Chinese President Xi Jinping and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen agreed Thursday to boost bilateral cooperation under the framework of Beijing's Belt and Road initiatives.

"Currently, bilateral relations are blessed with vital opportunities," Xi said in a meeting with Hun Sen held on the sidelines of an ongoing Asian-African summit.

China, Xi added, "will firmly advance comprehensive strategic cooperation with Cambodia and firmly support Cambodia's efforts to maintain stability and development."

On top of promoting collaboration in traditional areas, Xi suggested, the two countries boost cooperation in infrastructure interconnectivity under the framework of the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiatives and maintain proper operation of the Sihanoukville Port Special Economic Zone.

Beijing will continue offering assistance within its capacity for Cambodia's socioeconomic development, and actively consider beefing up bilateral cooperation in public health, disaster relief and other sectors, said the president.

Meanwhile, the Chinese leader also called for continued frequent high-level contact and deeper inter-party and closer people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

China is ready to host another Cambodian youth delegation this year, and will continue to provide scholarships for Cambodian students intent on pursuing education in China, Xi added.

Zooming out to the regional scale, Xi said Beijing is willing to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with ASEAN members and the countries along the Mekong River, and supports the construction of the ASEAN community.

In the meeting, Xi also recalled the first meeting between late Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai and late Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk at the 1955 Bandung Conference, which opened a new chapter in the history of bilateral friendship.

Xi added that it is thus of particular significance that he and Hun Sen are both here in Indonesia for the Asian-African Summit 2015 and commemorative activities for the 60th anniversary of the Bandung Conference.

"We should further cement the China-Cambodia friendship so as to bring more benefits to the two peoples," stressed the Chinese president.