China to provide 100 Cambodian children with free heart surgery in 3 years

China will provide 100 Cambodian children who have congenital heart disease with free surgery in three years in a program called "China-Cambodia Love Heart Journey."

The program was inaugurated Thursday by visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and his Cambodian counterpart Samdech Techo Hun Sen at the Peace Palace in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh.

Under the program, Chinese medical personnel will teach on site their Cambodian counterparts who can also have opportunities to go to China for training.

China will cooperate with Cambodia to conduct research in the Southeast Asian country on the early screening and comprehensive intervention of cardiovascular disease.

The two leaders also inaugurated the projects of China-Cambodia Friendship Preah Kossamak Hospital and Tboung Khmum Provincial Hospital.

With a history of more than 100 years, Preah Kossamak Hopsital in Phnom Penh is one of the oldest hospitals in Cambodia. China will build a medical building there with a total area of 29,000 square km and 400 beds. The hospital has been renamed China-Cambodia Friendship Preah Kossamak Hopsital.

Chinese Premier also held talks with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen before the event.

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen holds a welcoming ceremony for the visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Phnom Penh on Thursday, January 11, 2018. [Photo: Xinhua/Li Tao]

Li pledged to build a community of shared future with Cambodia that is of strategic significance during the talks.

Calling the two countries close neighbors with profound friendship, Li said China always respects Cambodia's sovereignty and independence, and supports the country to stick to a development path with Cambodian characteristics.

China hopes to take the opportunity of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the bilateral diplomatic ties this year to cement high-level contacts, substantial cooperation in various areas and cultural exchanges, he said.

The Chinese premier vowed to offer assistance for Cambodia's economic development as well as improvement of people's livelihood and to jointly build a community of shared future that is of strategic significance.

China expects to align its development strategy with Cambodia, and take the opportunity of the Belt and Road Initiative to facilitate bilateral capacity and investment cooperation, he said.

Li said China is willing to work with Cambodia to make good arrangement for celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the bilateral diplomatic ties and strengthen the bilateral cooperation in the areas of economic zones, infrastructure building, tourism, agriculture and deep processing of agricultural products.

Hailing the second LMC leaders' meeting as fruitful, Li said China expects to maintain close coordination with Cambodia within the frameworks of LMC as well as China-ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) cooperation and to contribute to regional development and prosperity.

For his part, Hun Sen said Premier Li's visit would consolidate the bilateral friendship and boost the two countries' comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to a new stage.

Calling China a friendly cooperation partner of Cambodia, Hun Sen hailed the high-level political trust, vigorous cooperation and people's friendship between the two countries.

Cambodia appreciates China's firm support and help over the years, and wishes Chinese people to realize their Two Centenary Goals at an early date, he said.

Hun Sen expressed satisfaction over the progress in major bilateral projects in such areas as highway, port and economic zones, vowing to boost stronger cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture, tourism and people's livelihood.

It is a consensus of the Cambodian government and people to consolidate and develop friendship with China, he said, vowing firm support for China on issues regarding its core interest.

After their talks, Li and Hun Sen witnessed the signing of 19 bilateral cooperative documents regarding the areas of politics, economy, trade, public health, forestry, agriculture and culture.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang meets with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni in Phnom Penh on Thursday, January 11, 2018. [Photo: Xinhua/Liu Weibin]

During his stay in Phnom Penh, Li also met with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni. The two countries issued a joint communique on deepening bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in a new era.