Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here Friday that China and Cambodia are good friends and good partners that share mutual respect, understanding and support, noting the good relations are based on traditional friendship.
During a joint press conference with Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, Wang expressed gratitude to the Cambodian side for constant understanding and firm support to China's core interests and major concerns.
China will also unswervingly support Cambodia's rights in maintaining national sovereignty, national dignity as well as the freedom in choosing suitable development path, Wang said.
In earlier talks with the Cambodian foreign minister, the two sides exchanged views on deepening bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperation partnership, Wang said, adding that the two sides reached a series of consensus concerning future cooperation.
The two sides agreed to promote further development of bilateral relations. China and Cambodia will maintain high-level exchange of visits, strengthen strategic communication, coordinate development plans, effectively promote the "Belt and Road" Initiative as well as production capacity cooperation in a bid to bring tangible benefits for both peoples.
They also agreed to strengthen coordination and safeguard interests of both sides. Wang said China supports Cambodia for enjoying greater influence in global and regional affairs. He also added that China believes Cambodia will continue to make important contribution to the strengthening of China's relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
China will join hands with Cambodia in carrying out the achievements made at the first Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Leaders' meeting, Wang said, adding that China supports Cambodia in hosting the next session of the LMC meeting.
At the joint press conference, the Chinese foreign minister also said the two sides reached consensuses on the South China Sea issue after an in-depth exchange of views.
The consensuses are: fully respecting the right enjoyed by sovereign states and signatory states of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to select on their own ways to solve disputes, the international jurisdiction or the arbitral authorities should fully respect the announcement that excludes a compulsory arbitration made by concerned parties in accordance with Article 298 of UNCLOS, supporting the parties directly involved in solving their territory and maritime disputes through friendly consultations and talks in line with the international law and UNCLOS and promoting mutual trust, boosting cooperation in a bid to maintain the peace and stability in the South China Sea.
