BEIJING — The China-Cambodia Trade and Investment Promotion Forum 2019 was held in Beijing on Jan 22, aimed at exploring ways to boost economic, trade and investment ties between the two countries.

Vice-Premier Hu Chunhua and Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen addressed the event’s opening ceremony.

In recent years, with the concerted efforts of both sides, bilateral trade grew rapidly, achieving the goal of $6 billion two years ahead of schedule, Hu said.

Noting the two sides had witnessed progress in cooperation under multilateral frameworks, he expressed the hope for more promotion of bilateral economic and trade relations.

China is willing to work with Cambodia to strengthen the alignment of respective development strategies, and speed up the implementation of a bilateral cooperation plan to jointly promote the Belt and Road Initiative, he said.

Hu said it was also hoped that the two sides would continuously expand trade volumes, optimize trade structure and promote cooperation on industrial capacity and investment.

Hun Sen said China and Cambodia enjoyed close cooperation and saw great potential in trade, investment, tourism and other fields.

Cambodia is committed to improving its business environment and enhancing its economic competitiveness, Hun Sen said.

Cambodia hopes to further synergize its industrial planning with the Belt and Road Initiative so as to continuously promote practical cooperation between the two countries, he said.