Cambodian PM visit to China to bring deeper ties: deputy PM

The forthcoming visit of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to China early next month will bring deeper relations and cooperation between the two countries, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said Friday.

During a meeting with Shen Peiping, vice governor of China's Yunnan province, Hor Namhong said that Hun Sen will visit China in April 6-10. During the visit, the leaders of the two countries will sign an action plan in order to implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Cooperation, which was established in 2010.

Also, the two governments will set up an inter-governmental committee in order to monitor the implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Cooperation.

He recalled that the long-standing friendship relation between Cambodia and China was founded by Cambodia's late former King Norodom Sihanouk and former Chinese leaders and the tie has become stronger because the leaders of the two countries have continued to maintain and further enhance from generation to generation.

Cambodia and China last year vowed to double the bilateral trade volume to 5 billion U.S. dollars in 2017. According to the official figures, the bilateral trade volume valued at 2.9 billion U.S. dollars in 2012, up 16 percent year-on-year.

Hor Namhong said that based on the figures, it will not be difficult for both sides to achieve the target in 2017.

Meanwhile, he asked Shen Peiping to help encourage more Chinese tourists and investors from Yunnan province to Cambodia in order to further broaden economic tie.

Shen promised to attract more investors to Cambodia, especially for the sectors of tourism, airport development and rice milling.

Meanwhile, through Hor Namhong, he extended an invitation to Prime Minister Hun Sen in order to invite him for the 1st China- South Asia Exposition and the 21st China Kunming Import and Export Fair, which will be held from June 6-10 in Kunming.