PHNOM PENH — China is willing to continue to provide assistance for Cambodia to the best of its ability, Premier Li Keqiang said on Jan 11.

Premier Li made the remarks when meeting with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni.

“China will continue to support Cambodia’s efforts to develop economy, improve people’s livelihood and safeguard stability,” said the Premier.

The river of China-Cambodia friendship runs a long course from a remote source with the two peoples sharing deep friendly feelings, said Premier Li, noting that leaders of older generations of the two countries made historic contributions to developing the bilateral ties.

President Xi Jinping’s successful visit to Cambodia in 2016 brought bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to a new level, Premier Li said.

On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Cambodia this year, China will start from a new point to cooperate with Cambodia for the continuous development of bilateral relations, he said.

“It is believed that the development of the China-Cambodia comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership will better benefit the two peoples,” he said.

For his part, Sihamoni said Cambodia appreciates the Chinese government’s long-term support for its economic and social development.

He said Premier Li’s visit to Cambodia is significant as it has consolidated the bilateral traditional friendship and deepened the bilateral cooperation in a variety of areas.

“The Cambodian people will never forget the Chinese people’s friendship and will stand together with the Chinese people forever,” said Sihamoni, while expressing his hope that the Cambodia-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership will witness further development.