Cambodian PM hails ties with China

PHNOM PENH, May 17 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Friday lauded good relations and cooperation between Cambodia and China in all fields, particularly politics, economics, and trade.

Speaking at a meeting with outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Pan Guangxue at the Peace Palace, Hun Sen said that, during the last decade, a number of achievements including roads, bridges, irrigation system, and electricity construction have been made in Cambodia under Chinese aid and investment.

Through Pan, the premier expressed gratitude to the government and people of China for supporting Cambodia in all circumstances in national development, saying that "Chinese development aid and investment are very important for Cambodia to developing the economy and society."

China is Cambodia's biggest aid provider and investor, and is one of the country's leading trade partners.

According to Cambodia's Finance Ministry, from 1992 to present, China has granted 2.7 billion U.S. dollars in soft loans and grants to Cambodia for social and economic infrastructure development.

On the investment side, Chinese investors have poured 9.17 billion U.S. dollars into projects in Cambodia from 1994 to 2012, according to the Council for the Development of Cambodia.

In terms of bilateral trade, the total volume was worth 2.9 billion U.S. dollars last year, and it is projected to hit 5 billion U.S. dollars by 2017.

Meanwhile, Pan said that even though his diplomatic mission in Cambodia is completed, he will continue to help promote ties between China and Cambodia through encouraging more Chinese investors to come to Cambodia.

He said the year 2013 marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cambodia and the "China-Cambodia Friendship Year".

The Chinese Embassy in Cambodia will organize a celebration event on June 19, he said, adding that in September, Chinese hospital ship will visit Cambodia to further enhance friendship ties between the two nations.

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