China, Cambodia vow to enhance cooperation, promote regional stability

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) holds a welcome ceremony for Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen before their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, May 16, 2017. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

BEIJING, May 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen agreed Tuesday that the two countries will enhance economic cooperation and work together to ensure regional stability and prosperity.

The Chinese government is committed to upgrading cooperation with Cambodia, and wants to align their development strategies to increase bilateral trade in both quantity and quality, Li said when meeting with Hun Sen.

Hun Sen is on an official visit to China from May 13 to 17. He attended the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing on Sunday and Monday.

Li urged more cooperation with Cambodia in multiple areas including industrial capacity, investment, agriculture, education, tourism, defense and law enforcement.

China is also ready to maintain high-level exchanges and strategic communication with Cambodia, promote people-to-people ties, and strengthen coordination on international and regional issues, the premier said.

The Chinese side supports Cambodia's role in regional and sub-regional platforms and stands ready to work with Cambodia for regional peace, stability and prosperity, Li said.

For his part, Hun Sen said his country is willing to deepen cooperation with China in trade, investment, infrastructure, law enforcement, security and other areas, while pledging to advance bilateral friendly relations to a higher level.

Cambodia will continue to actively promote China-ASEAN ties and Lancang-Mekong cooperation, and safeguard regional peace, stability and development, Hun Sen said.

After the meeting, China and Cambodia signed a number of documents on cooperation in strategy coordination, infrastructure as well as economic and technological areas.

Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), and Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), also held meetings with Hun Sen respectively on Tuesday.

Zhang said the NPC will strengthen exchanges and cooperation with Cambodia's National Assembly and Senate to contribute more to the development of China-Cambodia ties.

Yu said the CPPCC National Committee is ready to have more exchanges with Cambodia's Senate and sustain the momentum of high-level visits.