CHINA, CAMBODIA TO ENHANCE BILATERAL TIES

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn in Beijing on May 31 and called for closer bilateral ties and cooperation under regional frameworks.

Hailing the profound traditional friendship, Li said China supports Cambodia in choosing a development path in accordance with its national situation.China stands ready to enhance the synergy of development strategies with Cambodia, promote cooperation in key areas and jointly build a China-Cambodia community with a shared future, stressed Li.

He said China is willing to intensify coordination and collaboration with Cambodia under the frameworks of China-ASEAN and Lancang-Mekong cooperation and forge ahead with negotiations on the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea to safeguard a stable environment for development in the region.

China backs Cambodia hosting the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in 2020, Li added.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (right) meets with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn in Beijing on May 31.

Prak Sokhonn, who made an official visit to China from May 30 to June 1,said Cambodia appreciates China’s longterm assistance and is willing to further strengthen high-level exchange and mutual support on regional and international issues and promote the building of a Cambodia-China community with a shared future.