Cambodian King flies to Beijing for regular medical checkups

Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, accompanied by his mother, former Queen Norodom Monineath, left Cambodia for Beijing on Monday for routine medical checkups.

At the Phnom Penh International Airport, the royal family was seen off by National Assembly President Heng Samrin, Prime Minister Hun Sen and royal family members.

Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Bu Jianguo was also present at the see-off ceremony.

In a royal message to the compatriots, King Norodom Sihamoni, 61, said his visit to Beijing was to have his health checked up and to visit a province in China. "During my absence from Cambodia, Chea Sim, president of the senate, will assume the title of the acting head of state of Cambodia,"he said.

The king usually has his health checked up by Chinese doctors twice a year. His last body checkup and treatment was in February.