Issue of South China Sea should not be internationalized: Hun Sen

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) meets with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in Hanoi, capital of Vietnam, Oct. 28, 2010. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen told his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao here Thursday that his government holds that the issue of the South China Sea should not be internationalized or multilateralized.

Hun Sen made the remarks during talks with Wen, who arrived in Hanoi earlier in the day to attend a series of summits between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its partners scheduled for October 29-30.

The Cambodian prime minister said his government holds that the issue of South China Sea should be resolved through bilateral consultations by the countries concerned. The issue should not be internationalized or multilateralized, he stressed.

Wen praised Hun Sen's position on this issue. He reiterated that China would, as ever, work with the countries concerned to earnestly implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, enhance mutual trust and friendly cooperation, safeguard the peace and stability of the South China Sea, and try to resolve related bilateral disputes appropriately.

Wen said that being good neighbors, good friends and good partners, China and Cambodia have maintained a high level of mutual trust despite rapid and profound changes in international and regional situations, having promoted and deepened cooperation in various fields and having supported each other on key international and regional issues.

The Chinese premier said that China would like to make concerted efforts with Cambodia to upgrade and enrich bilateral ties comprehensively. He also noted that China would support the Cambodian government to promote development in agriculture and infrastructure as well as human resources.

Hun Sen said his government was grateful to China for its gracious help in Cambodia's national reconciliation and economic and social development, noting that relations between China and Cambodia have withstood the test of time and thus have much room for further development.

Chinese enterprises are welcome to participate actively in Cambodia's economic development, he said.

Source:Xinhua