President Jiang Meets Cambodian Prime Minister 　　President Jiang Zemin, when meeting with visiting Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in Beijing on February 10, said he hoped the two countries will push forward their traditional friendly relations, making them closer and firmer. 　　"There exists no historical reason or conflict of practical interests between the two nations to affect this, which means there is a solid foundation for the further development of our bilateral ties;" Jiang added. 　　He said, "China sincerely makes every effort to be an eternal good neighbor, friend and partner to its neighboring countries." 　　Jiang noted that Hun Sen and his Chinese counterpart Zhu Rongji had successful talks and reached consensus on many issues. 　　"China and Cambodia, as two developing countries, cherish their long-term friendship," he said, adding that both sides should maintain and advance this relationship for the good of the two peoples and their descendants. 　　China is ready to further support Cambodia's peace and construction cause within its capability, Jiang stressed. 　　"We are fully confident of a bright future in bilateral relations," he said. 　　Hun Sen, agreeing with Jiang, pointed out that in recent years the two countries have had frequent high-level contacts, which have played a significant and positive role in promoting friendship and cooperation between Cambodia and China. 　　Describing his talks with Chinese Premier Zhu as " very successful and very fruitful," he was thankful, he said, for China's important contributions in helping maintain the independence and sovereignty of Cambodia, and helping realize his country's peace and national reconciliation. 　　He stressed that Cambodia is ready to build all-round friendly and cooperative relations with China. 　　He spoke highly of China's great achievements in the reform and opening-up drive, and in the economic construction, saying Cambodia always values how much it can learn from China's experience, and expressed the wish that China become even stronger. 　　Hun Sen also expressed congratulations for the forthcoming 50th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and then briefed Jiang on Cambodia's domestic situation. 　　"The new Cambodian government has only been in existence for 70 days," he said. "And Cambodia has ended its civil war comprehensively and achieved national reconciliation and peace." 　　He stated that his country has entered a new period of peace and long-term stability, and its main task in the future is to focus on economic reconstruction. 　　Jiang said it is a pleasing thing that the new parliament and government have been formed in the spirit of national reconciliation and unity, in which King Norodom Sihanouk has played a significant role, and to which Cambodia's two major parties have made contributions. 　　"China hopes to see a peaceful, independent and stable Cambodia marching toward prosperity," he added. 　　He indicated that domestic stability is the prerequisite and foundation for economic construction, and national cohesion reflects national strength. He wished Cambodia success in its efforts to cement peace and push forward economic construction. 　　Hun Sen forwarded Sihanouk's greetings to Jiang, saying that the King is playing a unique role in maintaining Cambodia's peace and stability. 　　Terming Sihanouk as an old friend of the Chinese people, Jiang said the Sino-Cambodian friendship has been fostered by the King and the older-generation of Chinese leaders. 　　He also asked Hun Sen to convey his best wishes to Sihanouk and spoke highly of the King's outstanding contributions to bilateral friendship. 　　Jiang said he is expecting to meet him during the 1999 International Horticultural Exposition, which is scheduled to open soon in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province. HomeNews 1999-02-11 Page1 Full Story in Chinese