Li holds talk with Cambodian PM

BEIJING - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in Beijing's Great Hall of the People on Monday.

China and Cambodia are true friends and good partners, Li reiterated in the meeting, adding that China has continuously adopted a friendly policy toward Cambodia since the two countries forged diplomatic ties 55 years ago.

Li said China and Cambodia could make use of their respective advantages to achieve shared prosperity.

The premier urged the two sides to strengthen communication so as to carry out the action plan on China-Cambodia comprehensive strategic cooperation and partnership.

He called for a deepening of the regional cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure construction, energy, telecom and irrigation. Also, Chinese enterprises will be encouraged to invest in Cambodia to promote bilateral trade.

China will beef up support for Cambodia's efforts in developing independently and improving people's livelihood, according to Li.

He also told his guest that cultural exchange between the two countries should be encouraged in education, tourism and aviation.

Joint work in law enforcement will also be promoted to fight against drug trafficking, terrorism and cross-border crime, said Li.

The premier said that China values multilateral coordination and relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to push forward cooperation in fields including free trade areas, technology, interconnection and interworking, and jointly promoting regional peace and development.

Hun Sen thanked China for its long-term support to Cambodia.

He said deepening cooperation between the ASEAN and China will benefit both sides. Cambodia is willing to play a positive role in enhancing the healthy development of ASEAN-China relations, he added.

After the meeting, the two leaders attended a ceremony where eight cooperation documents were signed.

Hun Sen also attended the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2013 held from April 6 to April 8 in south China's island province of Hainan.