PHNOM PENH, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia and ASEAN have enjoyed steady cooperation with China in all fields, a senior Cambodian diplomat said here Friday, adding that as the 2012 ASEAN chair, Cambodia would do all it could to foster closer ASEAN-China relations.
In an exclusive interview with Chinese media on Chinese relations with Cambodia and ASEAN as a whole, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, secretary of state of Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said bilateral ties between Cambodia and China had been fostered since the age of Cambodian former King Norodom Sihanouk and the relations had been strengthened and expanded gradually. "Now, we can say bilateral ties between Cambodia and China are the closest of all,"he said."We have reached the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation."
Kao Kim Hourn said that Cambodia profoundly thanked China for all forms of assistance and for encouraging Chinese investors to Cambodia, which have largely been contributing to the development of Cambodia. "China has played a very important role in developing infrastructures in Cambodia," he said, adding that China's aid to Cambodia has"no strings attached". "Moreover, China has never interfered in Cambodia's internal politics. Instead, China always helps strengthen Cambodia's sovereignty,"he said.
On the ASEAN-China relation, Dr. Kao said the ASEAN-China is a strategic partner and the two sides have cooperated in all fields and at all levels. "Currently, the ASEAN-China cooperation has been deepened and gradually strengthened from year to year," he said."This year, as the chair of ASEAN, Cambodia will continue deepening and expanding relations between ASEAN and China."
He said the country would push for the building of mutual trust and call for a higher-level exchange of visits between leaders of the two sides.
In terms of economic cooperation, he said, ASEAN and China have implemented the Free Trade Area Agreement for more than one year and the cooperation has come to fruition.
On the social and cultural sides, there have been a number of activities created to honor the ASEAN-China relations, the secretary of state said. "China has not only helped the development of Cambodia, it has also helped the development of other ASEAN members, so China is a core and strategic dialogue partner of ASEAN,"said Kao.
In regard to Chinese President Hu Jintao's upcoming visit to Cambodia at the end of this month, Kao said the visit will be a historic milestone. "The visit will additionally contribute to further strengthening the friendship between Cambodia and China," he said,adding that the visit will be coincided with the 20th ASEAN Summit. "President Hu's visit is also reflecting China's willingness to boost cooperation with ASEAN because his visit is made when Cambodia hosts the 20th ASEAN Summit,"he said.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
In an exclusive interview with Chinese media on Chinese relations with Cambodia and ASEAN as a whole, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, secretary of state of Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said bilateral ties between Cambodia and China had been fostered since the age of Cambodian former King Norodom Sihanouk and the relations had been strengthened and expanded gradually. "Now, we can say bilateral ties between Cambodia and China are the closest of all,"he said."We have reached the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation."
Kao Kim Hourn said that Cambodia profoundly thanked China for all forms of assistance and for encouraging Chinese investors to Cambodia, which have largely been contributing to the development of Cambodia. "China has played a very important role in developing infrastructures in Cambodia," he said, adding that China's aid to Cambodia has"no strings attached". "Moreover, China has never interfered in Cambodia's internal politics. Instead, China always helps strengthen Cambodia's sovereignty,"he said.
On the ASEAN-China relation, Dr. Kao said the ASEAN-China is a strategic partner and the two sides have cooperated in all fields and at all levels. "Currently, the ASEAN-China cooperation has been deepened and gradually strengthened from year to year," he said."This year, as the chair of ASEAN, Cambodia will continue deepening and expanding relations between ASEAN and China."
He said the country would push for the building of mutual trust and call for a higher-level exchange of visits between leaders of the two sides.
In terms of economic cooperation, he said, ASEAN and China have implemented the Free Trade Area Agreement for more than one year and the cooperation has come to fruition.
On the social and cultural sides, there have been a number of activities created to honor the ASEAN-China relations, the secretary of state said. "China has not only helped the development of Cambodia, it has also helped the development of other ASEAN members, so China is a core and strategic dialogue partner of ASEAN,"said Kao.
In regard to Chinese President Hu Jintao's upcoming visit to Cambodia at the end of this month, Kao said the visit will be a historic milestone. "The visit will additionally contribute to further strengthening the friendship between Cambodia and China," he said,adding that the visit will be coincided with the 20th ASEAN Summit. "President Hu's visit is also reflecting China's willingness to boost cooperation with ASEAN because his visit is made when Cambodia hosts the 20th ASEAN Summit,"he said.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
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