China, Cambodia pledge to further promote partnership (2)

Regarding the relationship between the two ruling parties, Hun Sen said he hopes the CPC will continue supporting the CPP.

Also on Wednesday, Liu met separately with Heng Samrin, president of the Cambodian National Assembly and honorary chairman of the CPP, and Princess Norodom Arun Rasmey, leader of the royalist Funcinpec Party.

When meeting with Heng Samrin, Liu said China and Cambodia are "good neighbors, good friends, good partners and good brothers."

Liu spoke highly of the role the two nations' parliaments have played in promoting bilateral ties, adding that he hopes the two sides will further expand parliamentary exchanges.

As this year is also a "China-Cambodia Friendship Year," the two sides should grasp the opportunity to further advance the bilateral relationship, said the CPC official.

Noting that the CPC and the CPP both face development tasks and governance tests, Liu said the CPC is willing to work with the CPP to promote party-to-party and state-to-state exchanges and cooperation.

Heng Samrin said Cambodia and China enjoy high level of political mutual trust, with broadening cooperation in economy, culture and education and deepening exchanges between governments, political parties and legislatures.

Cambodia will continue to work with China to further advance their partnership, he added.

During his meeting with Princess Norodom Arun Rasmey, Liu lauded the time-tested China-Cambodia friendship and the unprecedented level of bilateral practical cooperation, saying the two sides have set a good example of state-to-state relations.

Liu said the Funcinpec Party, founded by late King Father Norodom Sihanouk, has inherited the traditional friendship between the two countries, and the CPC values its relationship with the party.

The CPC is willing to continue enhancing exchanges and cooperation with the Funcinpec Party to further cement the friendship between two peoples, he added.

"We believe that the Funcinpec Party will continue to play a positive and constructive role in safeguarding peace and stability in Cambodia and deepening the China-Cambodia friendship," Liu added.

Princess Norodom Arun Rasmey said the Funcinpec Party is firmly committed to safeguarding peace, unity and stability in Cambodia and will stick to its friendly policy to China.

Liu's visit, she added, is of great significance to the further consolidation of the friendship between the two nations.

Cambodia is the last leg of Liu's ongoing four-country tour, which has taken him to Belarus, Ukraine and Sri Lanka.