Li Peng Begins Cambodia VisitChairman Li Peng of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China arrived here Friday afternoon for a 4-day official goodwill visit to Cambodia at the invitation of Cambodia's President of National Assembly Norodom Ranariddh and Prime Minister Hun Sen.Li is the first Chinese NPC chairman to visit Cambodia since the establishment of diplomatic relationship between China and Cambodia in 1958. President of National Assembly Norodom Ranariddh and Marie Ranariddh and Prime Minister Hun Sen greeted Li and the Chinese delegation at the airport. Li was accorded a red-carpet welcome at the airport. Accompanied by Ranariddh and Hun Sen, Li inspected the guards of honor of the three services of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces after a military band played the national anthems of China and Cambodia. Senior Cambodian officials from the parliament and the government, including First Deputy President Heng Samrim, were present at the airport to greet Li and the Chinese delegation. Representatives from the Chinese community in Cambodia and the Chinese embassy staff were lining up at the airport to welcome the Chinese delegation. Li's entourage who arrived aboard the same plane include his wife Zhu Lin and Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of NPC Tomur Dawamat. Cambodia is the first-leg of Li's tour of three Asian countries. He will also visit Brunei and South Korea after his Cambodian trip. |
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