Cambodian, Chinese defense ministers ink military cooperation pact

PHNOM PENH, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Tea Banh and Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie on Monday signed a military cooperation agreement in Phnom Penh.

Under the deal, signed after a one-hour meeting between the two ministers, China will continue receiving Cambodian military personnel for training in China, Tea Banh told reporters after the signing ceremony at Cambodia's defense ministry.

Tea Banh said Liang's visit would strengthen and expand friendship and traditional relations and cooperation between Cambodia and China in all fields, especially the military sector.

 "Cambodia and China have close and invaluable cooperation," he said. "Chinese assistance is greatly contributing to building Cambodian army's capacity in national defense."

 During the meeting, Tea Banh reiterated Cambodia's stance to support the "one-China" policy forever and the two ministers also pledged to support each other on the international arena.

 Liang said that China saw Cambodia as a close and honest friend and China would continue supporting Cambodia in military capacity building, military training schools and hospitals.

 Liang arrived here on Sunday for a four-day official visit. Besides meeting with Tea Banh, he is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Hun Sen and to visit the Angkor Archeological Park, one of the world heritage sites, in Siem Reap province.

 According to Tea Banh, Liang will also hold a 30-minute consultative meeting with ASEAN defense ministers on Tuesday evening in a bid to build closer cooperation between China and southeast Asian countries and to explain China's stance on the South China Sea issue.