Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in Phnom Penh on Monday expressed his appreciation to China for the generous help and aid it has extended to the kingdom for its economic construction and social development in the past years, while meeting Liang Guanglie, visiting chief of general staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

 

As Cambodia and China enjoy close and friendly ties, both leaders exchange visits frequently and cooperation in various fields is carried out well, he said.

 

Cambodia will strengthen its cooperation with China in the future, he said.

 

Meanwhile, Cambodia sticks to the one-China policy and opposes any activity that advocates Taiwan independence, he added.

 

Liang said that the current Chinese-Cambodian ties develop well and that the two sides have maintained frequent top-level contacts.

 

The cooperation and exchange in various fields keep on expanding and the economic and trade cooperation bears fruits, he said.

 

In addition, the military ties as an important part of the bilateral ties have also grown smoothly in recent years, he added.

 

Liang also extended thanks to the Cambodian government for its adherence to the one-China policy, opposes Taiwan independence clearly and consistently supports the peaceful unification of China.

 

On Monday, Liang also met with Deputy Prime Minister and Co-Minister of Defense Tea Banh to discuss bilateral military ties.

 

The Chinese army will stick to long-term cooperation with the Cambodian army in terms of staff training, military trade and logistics donation, while both countries have established ties of good neighbors, friends and partners, Liang said.

 

Banh expressed appreciation for the Chinese army's firm support to the Cambodian army.

 

"The friendship among the Chinese army and the Cambodian army is deep-rooted," he added.

 

Liang is here as a guest of Ke Kim Yan, commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces.

 

Liang arrived here on Saturday night on the first stop of his goodwill Asia tour that also includes Laos, Myanmar and Thailand.

 

He will leave for Laos on Tuesday.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 17, 2006)