PHNOM PENH, March 17 -- Cambodian deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen. Tea Banh on Monday lauded good friendship relations and cooperation between Cambodia and China, and vowed to further enhance the ties for mutual benefits.

"Our ties reached the top level of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Cooperation in 2010 thanks to strong commitment and efforts by the leaders of our two countries," he said during a meeting with Sun Jianguo, visiting deputy chief of general staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army and chairman of the China Institute for International Strategic Studies.

"Cambodia is very satisfied with its relations with China and will continue to further deepen this relationship for mutual benefits," he said.

The minister also thanked China for providing a great amount of aid to Cambodia for social and economic development.

For his part, Sun Jianguo said his visit to Cambodia aimed to further enhance long-standing friendship relations and cooperation between the armies of the two countries.

He pledged to continue supporting the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces through human resources development.

Meanwhile, he also hailed Cambodia for good security, political stability and strong economic growth over the last decade.

Earlier in the day, Sun Jianguo met with Gen. Pol Saroeun, commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, and both sides vowed to further promote closer ties between the two armies for mutual benefits.

Sun Jianguo arrived in Cambodia on Saturday for a three-day visit. During the stay, he had also visited Angkor Wat Temple, a World Heritage Site, in northwestern Siem Reap province.