Phnom Penh (Rasmei Kampuchea Daily/ANN) - Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi told Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday that peace and development were the "top concern" for countries in the region, a Chinese official said.
The official, who asked not to be named, quoted Yang as saying that China hopes that the Asean Regional Forum in Phnom Penh on Thursday will "send a positive signal of increasing mutual trust and promoting cooperation."
China also hopes it will "enhance the parties' capacity for meeting challenges together, strengthen the internal drivers of growth in Asia and solidify the momentum of Asian development," the foreign minister reportedly said.
"How to uphold peace and promote development is the top concern of regional countries," Yang was quoted as saying.
Hun Sen reportedly said that Cambodia-China relations were in "very good shape" and that President Hu Jintao's visit this year "gave a strong boost to the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries."
"Cambodia appreciates the valuable support and help of the Chinese government and people for Cambodia's economic and social development," the prime minister was quoted as saying.
"The people of Cambodia are deeply moved by the fact that China has always lived up to its word. The strong presence of China at the meetings shows China's support for Cambodia as the host country," Hun Sen reportedly said.
"Cambodia sees in China a partner for Asean development and cooperation, and Asean should focus on how to achieve regional stability, development and prosperity."
On the same day, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi also met with Hor Namhong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, and exchanged views with him on bilateral relations and issues of common interest.
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