China, Cambodia agree to support each other on "core interests"

BEIJING, Feb. 4, 2016 -- Yu Zhengsheng (R), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, meets with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 4, 2016. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

BEIJING, Feb. 4 -- China and Cambodia agreed on Thursday to support each other on their respective "core and major interests."

The consensus was reached in Beijing during the third meeting of the China-Cambodia Inter-governmental Coordination Committee, co-chaired by Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong. The two countries will continue high-level contacts, strengthen their strategic communication and coordination on international and regional affairs, said an official press release.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin told journalists after the meeting that both sides agreed to continue promotion of a proper settlement of the South China Sea issue.

Liu reaffirmed that the issue should be addressed through a "dual-track" approach -- disputes should be resolved peacefully through negotiation between the parties directly concerned, and China and ASEAN countries should work together to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.

China and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries should jointly safeguard the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, according to Liu.

He said China stands ready to work with Cambodia and other Southeast Asian countries to safeguard regional peace and stability.

The two sides also agreed to cooperate in trade, investment, infrastructure, agriculture and other economic fields so as to achieve common development, according to the press release.

They also reached consensus on enhancing people-to-people exchanges and security cooperation.

China's top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng also met with Hor Namhong on Thursday.

Yu, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said China attaches great importance to the relations with Cambodia.

He said the third meeting of the China-Cambodia Inter-governmental Coordination Committee has achieved positive results and will lift bilateral cooperation to a new high.

Hor Namhong said the two sides have reached broad consensus during the meeting, which will effectively promote the development of bilateral strategic and cooperative partnership.

The first meeting of the China-Cambodia Inter-governmental Coordination Committee was co-chaired by Yang and Hor Namhong, also Cambodia's foreign minister, in Beijing in January 2014. The second meeting was held in Phnom Penh in December 2014.