ULAN BATOR, July 15 -- Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen on Friday said his country supports settlement of the South China Sea disputes through dialogue and consultation between countries directly concerned.

Hun Sen made the remarks in a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on the sidelines of the ongoing 11th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit in Ulan Bator.

Cambodia will continue to remain objective and just on the South China Sea issue, he said, adding that the country is willing to work with all parties to keep up the friendly cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China.

Li said China appreciates Cambodia's stance on the so-called South China Sea arbitration unilaterally initiated by the Philippines.

By taking an objective and impartial stance and speaking out for justice, Cambodia has defended truly the international rule of law and regional rules of order, and played an irreplaceable role in safeguarding China-ASEAN ties and regional peace and stability, Li said.

The premier said China will stick to the approach of settling the South China Sea disputes via dialogue and consultation between countries directly concerned, while protecting regional peace and stability as well as freedom of navigation in collaboration with ASEAN member states.

Li said China and Cambodia have both upheld justice and supported each other on their respective issues of major concerns.

He said Beijing will unswervingly promote the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Cambodia, maintain high-level exchanges and strategic communication, deepen practical cooperation in various fields and promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges, to push forward the friendly cooperation and bring more benefits to both sides.

China is willing to advance industrial capacity and investment cooperation with Cambodia, and step up the cooperation in trade, agriculture, water conservation and infrastructure construction so as to improve the well-being of the Cambodian people, he said.

The Chinese premier also said China will strengthen its cooperation with Cambodia in culture, tourism and education, encourage more Chinese tourists to travel to Cambodia and level up exchanges between the two peoples, the younger generation in particular, so as to pass on the traditional friendship between the two countries.

Hun Sen said that Cambodia sees its relations with China as a priority in foreign affairs and is willing to make all-out efforts to advance friendly cooperation between the two countries.