Cambodia looking forward to Chinese vice president's visit: officials

PHNOM PENH, The Cambodian government and the people are looking forward to the official visit by Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping, Cambodian senior officials said on Saturday.

Khieu Kanharith, information minister and the spokesman of the Royal Government of Cambodia, told Xinhua that "Vice President Xi Jinping will make an official visit in Cambodia from Dec. 20 to 22at the invitation of the Royal Government of Cambodia. It is yet another significant event on the relations between Cambodia and China and have been paid highly attentions by our both governments."

He expressed his hope that the Xi's visit will be sure to further consolidate and enhance the traditional friendship relations between the two countries.

"The traditional friendly relationship between Cambodia and China is built and fostered by the old generation of the leaders of our two countries, we always cherish such relations, " Khieu stressed, adding that under the joint efforts of the two countries in recent years, the friendly cooperation between the two countries have been deepened and enjoyed all-round development.
Moreover, he expressed his belief that strengthening the friendly relations with China and developing two countries' economic and trade relations serve the fundamental interests of both peoples.

Koy Kuong, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also said that Xi's visit will push forward the bilateral friendly and cooperative relations between Cambodia and China to a new level.

Koy Kuong said during Xi's visit, he will be received in Royal Audience by King Norodom Sihamoni at the Royal Palace. Xi will also pay a courtesy call on the Senate President Chea Sim, the National Assembly President Heng Samrin, and hold official talks with Prime Minister Hun Sen, Koy said.

At the same time, Xi will also witness a signing ceremony with Prime Minister Hun Sen of 14 relevant documents on cooperation, he added.

Cambodia is the last leg of Xi's four-nation visit which has taken him to Japan, South Korea and Myanmar.