Cambodian King, PM in Beijing to bring home King-Father

 Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni and Prime Minister Hun Sen have arrived in Beijing to bring home the body of King-Father Norodom Sihanouk, who died on Monday morning at the age of 89. The body will be taken back to Cambodia on Wednesday afternoon.

Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and Prime Minister Hun Sen arrived in Beijing on Monday afternoon. Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met them at the airport and expressed condolences.

They then arrived at King-Father's residence in Beijing's Dongcheng District, and went to Beijing Hospital where he died.

The Cambodian embassy in Beijing is flying its national flag at half mast to pay its respects to the former king.

Chinese top officials have expressed their condolences over the death of the King-Father.

During his visit to Sihanouk's residence in Beijing, Premier Wen Jiabao expressed deep condolences to King Norodom Sihamoni and Queen-Mother Norodom Monineath.

The Premier spoke highly of Sihanouk, saying he had struggled for national independence and the cause of peace and development his whole life. The Premier said he had years of profound friendship with the King-Father, and the Chinese people will always remember him. Wen Jiabao said China will always be a home for the Queen-Mother.

The Queen-Mother and the King expressed their thanks to Premier Wen Jiabao for his visit. They said the Cambodian royal family is very grateful to China for taking care of the King-Father for 40 years, and they will continue to promote friendly relations between the two countries.

Wen Jiabao also met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. Wen Jiabao said the death of Sihanouk is a great loss to Cambodia. He said China has lost a great friend and is deeply saddened.

Hun Sen thanked China for its long-term help and support. He said the Cambodian side is willing to make joint efforts with China to push bilateral relations to a new level.

Vice President Xi Jinping also visited the Queen-Mother Norodom Sihanouk on Monday morning to express his condolence and sympathy.

After a silent tribute in front of Sihanouk's portrait, Xi Jinping expressed shock and grief over Sihanouk's death. Xi Jinping said Sihanouk, a great leader loved by the Cambodian people, devoted his life to national independence and peaceful development. He spoke highly of Sihanouk as an old friend of the Chinese people, who forged a profound friendship with generations of Chinese leaders and made an indelible contribution to create and cultivate China-Cambodia relations.

Monineath thanked Xi Jinping for his visit. She said China was a second home for her and her husband. She also expressed thanks for the treatment given to Sihanouk.