PHNOM PENH, Dec. 22-- A senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is visiting Cambodia to further promote ties and cooperation between the ruling parties of the two countries.

Speaking during a meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday at the Peace Palace in capital Phnom Penh, Chen Fengxiang, deputy head of the International Department of the Central Committee of the CPC, said the CPC attached great importance to its traditional and friendly relations with the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP).

He said his visit was part of the visit exchange program between senior officials of the two parties to further boost ties and cooperation and the visit was also to contribute to strengthening excellent relations and closer cooperation between the two countries.

For his part, Hun Sen highly valued Chen's visit to Cambodia, saying that the trip was very important to further heighten ties and cooperation between the two parties.

Earlier in the day, Chen held a talk with CPP's Secretary General Say Chhum and is scheduled to meet with President of the royalist Funcinpec Party Princess Norodom Arun Rasmey on Tuesday.