Premier Li Keqiang met with the visiting King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on June 3.

The Premier said that China and Cambodia has had a long friendship, and they are true good friends, partners and brothers. Invited by President Xi Jinping, the king’s visit will further deepen the bilateral relationship, strengthen friendship and promote bilateral pragmatic cooperation in all fields, he said.

He added that China supports Cambodia to develop in a way that suits their situation, and is glad to pursue closer ties with the country to strengthen cooperation and support each other in international and regional affairs to push bilateral relations to a new stage.

Premier Li Keqiang (R1) meets with the visiting King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia (L1) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on June 3, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Premier also said China supports the integration of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), and building an ASEAN community, as promoting the China-Cambodia friendship and China-ASEAN relations could complement each other.

China attaches great importance to Cambodia’s positive role in ASEAN, and expects the country to make new contributions to strengthening the China-ASEAN relationship and promoting regional peace and development, the Premier said.

The king said that China is Cambodia’s greatest friend, and Cambodia is willing to continue to strengthen the bilateral friendship, increase communications in all fields and better boost the China-Cambodia and China-ASEAN relationships.