Cambodian Prime Minister Meets with Chinese Defense Minister

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Wednesday that the friendly cooperative relations between Cambodia and China have been continuously developing in the past years, especially after the historic visit by Chinese President Jiang Zemin last November which has pushed the relationship to a new stage.

Hun Sen made the remarks Wednesday during the talks with Chinese Defense Minister Chi Haotian, who is also vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission and state councilor.

Chi's visit has reflected the friendly contacts between the two peoples in a long history and the traditional friendship between the two countries, Hun Sen said. He also stressed that there are no differences between the two countries.

He congratulated China on its tremendous achievements made in the economic construction. China has played an important role in safeguarding peace and stability in the region and the world.

During the talks, Chi greatly appraised the positive effort made by Hun Sen in developing the friendship between Cambodia and China and he also appreciated the Cambodian government for its valuable support for China on Taiwan issue and human rights.

Chi said that China and Cambodia have a wide range of consensus in opposing power politics and hegemony, maintaining national stability and development of economy.

He affirmed that China will, as always, firmly support Cambodia's policy of maintaining independence and keeping initiative, and support Cambodia in strengthening national reconciliation and focusing on economic development.

Chi arrived here Tuesday for a five-day goodwill visit after he wound up his trips to Laos and Vietnam. Cambodia is the third leg of his tour, which also includes Nepal.

One-China Policy

Senate President Chea Sim and President of National Assembly Norodom Ranariddh reiterated Wednesday that Cambodia will continue to adhere to the one-China policy, and Taiwan is an inseparable part of China.

They made the remarks here in separate meetings with Chinese Defense Minister Chi Haotian who is in Phnom Penh for a five-day goodwill visit.

Chea Sim said that Chi's visit to Cambodia will promote the development of cooperative relations between the two countries and the two armies.

He expressed his thanks to China for its positive contributions to Cambodia's peace process and its firm support to the just cause of the Cambodian people.

Chea Sim expressed the hope that the two countries will further develop cooperation in various fields, including military field, in order to strive to develop the relationship between the two countries.

Ranariddh said that the Chinese people have supported the Cambodian people to safeguard the national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and also provided the Cambodian people with selfless aid. He said the Cambodian people will never forget it.

Chi said that under the leadership of King Norodom Sihanouk, the Cambodian people have overcome all kinds of difficulties, realized national reconciliation and economic development and achieved great results.

He said that China, as a good neighbor country, will support Cambodia to enhance its effort in strengthening national reconciliation and maintaining national sovereignty and economic development.

Chi expressed his belief that the Cambodian people, under the leadership of King Sihanouk, will properly deal with all sorts of challenges, and build the country into a nation with national concord, political stability, economic prosperity and happiness.

He said that President Jiang Zemin's successful visit to Cambodia last November and the joint statements signed between the two countries during Jiang's visit will bring about profound influence to deepen the traditional neighborly friendly relations between the two countries.

Chi, also vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission and a state councilor, arrived here Tuesday for a five-day goodwill visit to Cambodia at the invitation of his Cambodian counterpart Tea Banh and Prince Sisiwath Sereyrath.

Before coming to Cambodia, Chi had already visited Laos and Vietnam. Cambodia is the third leg of Chi's four-nation Asian tour, which also includes Nepal.








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