China and Cambodia are genuine friends, said Premier Li Keqiang on Nov 13 during a meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in Manila.

Premier Li said China firmly supports Cambodia’s own development path and its effort in maintaining sovereignty, domestic stability, and economic growth.

China is willing to maintain high-level contact with Cambodia, strengthen pragmatic cooperation in all fields, and promote people-to-people exchanges, he said.

Next year marks the 60th anniversary of bilateral ties and the second Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting in Cambodia, a good opportunity for better China-Cambodia relations and regional stability and development, Premier Li said.

For his part, Hun Sen said Cambodia and China enjoy deep relations. Next year will usher in a new era for bilateral relations, as Premier Li said.

Cambodia will enhance cooperation with China in government administration, infrastructure, and other key sectors, to further promote comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations, Hun Sen said.