Prime Minister Hun Manet arrived in Beijing on September 14 for his first official visit to China, where he is slated to attend the 20th China-ASEAN Expo and meet other leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Upon his arrival, Manet laid a wreath at the Monument to the People’s Heroes, located south of Tiananmen Square across from the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall.
He then met for talks with Han Xiaojun, president of SINOMACH Heavy Equipment Group in the afternoon, followed by a meeting with Wang Tongzhou, president of the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC).
Manet was also scheduled to meet with Wen Shugang, president of China Huaneng Group, and Liang Hua, president of Huawei Technology.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Manet is also scheduled to meet with Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, and hold bilateral discussions with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
“The two prime ministers will preside over the signing ceremony of several cooperation documents,” the ministry said in its September 12 press release prior to the visit.
Manet’s official visit begins as the two nations celebrate their 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year.
On September 13, ahead of Manet’s departure, government spokesperson Pen Bona said the visit – his second overseas mission since taking office in August – is one of geopolitical importance for Cambodia. He explained that China is the world’s second-largest economy, as well as the Kingdom’s biggest development partner.
“The visit demonstrates the excellent relations between the two nations, which is based on friendship, equality, mutual respect and interests, and non-interference,” he said.
“The prime minister’s visit to China does not mean Cambodia ignores other countries. The government is pleased to be friends with all nations, no matter whether they are big or small, rich or poor. As a sovereign state, Cambodia expects the same position from other countries,” he added.
Bona noted that many countries have ties with China which serve their own interests. Cambodia is doing the same, by nurturing bilateral ties for the interests of the nation and the people.
