TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

China's leader visits ally Cambodia to cement strong ties 

  (Associated Press)
Phnom Penh
Thu, October 13, 2016

Share This Article

Change Size

China's leader visits ally Cambodia to cement strong ties Chinese President Xi Jinping waves from a plane on his arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Oct. 13, 2016. (AP/Heng Sinith)

C

hinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday began a two-day state visit to strong ally Cambodia, during which he will strengthen the already firm relationship and witness the signing of nearly 30 agreements.

It is Xi's first trip to the impoverished Southeast Asian nation since he became head of state. He is due to meet with King Norodom Sihamoni and Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Hun Sen said that at least 28 cooperative agreements, mainly covering the economy, investments, agriculture and infrastructure, are set to be signed during Xi's visit.

China is Cambodia's key ally and economic partner, providing millions of dollars in aid and investment over the past decade. China has granted Cambodia tariff-free status on hundreds of trade items and written off its debt. In July, Beijing gave nearly US$600 million in aid to support the country's election infrastructure, education and health.

In return, Cambodia supports China in international forums, including in Beijing's ongoing dispute with other Southeast Asian countries in the South China Sea.

Security was tight for Xi's arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport, where several hundred students stood at both sides of the road to greet the president and his delegation by waving Xi's portraits and the two nations' flags. Several thousand security personnel also have been deployed along the streets in the capital.

Xi signed an article in the largest Cambodian daily Rasmei Kampuchea in which he said that the two countries "enjoy deep political trust and win-win economic cooperation."

"China and Cambodia are devoted friends. On issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, our two countries have stood together and supported each other," he wrote.

{

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.