Cambodia, China pledge to boost military ties

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Tea Banh met with Xu Qiliang, visiting vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission, on Friday, pledging to further enhance bilateral ties and cooperation for mutual benefits.

Tea Banh extended cordial welcome to Xu for leading a delegation of the Chinese People's Liberation Army to visit Cambodia, saying the visit is vital to further promote bilateral ties and cooperation between the two countries.

"Ties between Cambodia and China have remarkably developed in the last decade and reached the top level of the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation in 2010, thanks to strong commitment and efforts by the leaders of the two countries," he said.

Tea Banh said he is very satisfied with Cambodian and Chinese relations and vowed to further strengthen and expand this relationship for the benefits of the next generations.

He also reiterated Cambodia's staunch support for the one- China policy.

For his part, Xu hailed long-standing friendship relations between China and Cambodia, saying the two armies need to continue strategic communication and further practical cooperation for the interest of the two countries and peoples.

He said his visit to Cambodia is to deepen Chinese and Cambodian ties and to bolster military cooperation.

At the end of the meeting, Tea Banh and Xu signed a military cooperation agreement under which China will grant a number of scholarships to Cambodian military personnel to study in China.

Xu arrived in Cambodia on Thursday for a four-day visit to further enhance bilateral ties and cooperation. He paid a courtesy call on Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday afternoon.

He is also scheduled to visit the Infantry Institute in Kampong Speu province this Friday afternoon.