China Plays Major Role in Cambodia's National Rehabilitation: Cambodian MinisterCambodia's Co-Defense Minister Tea Banh said Tuesday that China has played a major role in maintaining security in the region and promoting Cambodian national rehabilitation and economic reconstruction.He said this in talks with visiting Chinese Defense Minister Chi Haotian at the Ministry of National Defense in Phnom Penh. Tea Banh said that Chi's visit is important after Chinese President Jiang Zemin's successful visit to Cambodia last year, and will further promote development between the two countries and two armies in the new century. He said that China is a good friend of Cambodia, and the friendship between the two countries has lasted for long time. He wishes that China will achieve greater new results in its construction and safeguarding the country. Chi said that the friendship between the two countries has been nurtured by Chinese leaders of older generation and King Norodom Sihanouk. The two countries have become models in developing cooperation relations with equality and mutual benefit on the basis of the five principles of peaceful co-existence. He stressed that President Jiang Zemin's successful visit to Cambodia last year has major significance for further developing the friendly cooperation between the two countries. Chi said the aim of his visit is to implement the agreement reached by leaders of the two countries during President Jiang's visit, and to expand military cooperation between the two countries. Chi arrived here for a five-day goodwill visit Tuesday noon. Prince Sisiwath Sereyrath also exchanged views with him on bilateral relations between Cambodia and China and other issues of common interests. Before coming to Cambodia, Chi had visited Laos and Vietnam. Cambodia is the third leg of his tour, which also includes Nepal. |
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