Cambodia, China to further enhance ties

PHNOM PENH - Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong met with visiting Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying on Thursday to discuss ways to further advance bilateral ties.

During a one-hour meeting, both sides expressed satisfactions with the good relations and cooperation between the two countries and pledged to further heighten the ties for mutual interests, Koy Kuong, spokesman for Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told reporters after the meeting.

Cambodia and China raised the bilateral relation level to the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation in December 2010.

According to Koy Kuong, both sides agreed to form a joint committee, which will lead by the two countries' vice foreign ministers, in order to draft an action plan for the implementation of the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation between the two countries.

The committee will convene its first meeting late this year, or early next year, he said.

During the meeting, Hor Namhong also expressed gratitude to the government and people of China for supporting Cambodia in all fields.

On the issue of South China Sea, both sides agreed that the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) must be implemented fully and effectively in order to transform the South China Sea into a "permanent" sea of peace, stability, friendship and cooperation for mutual benefits and interests.

Fu visited Cambodia in order to attend the opening ceremony of the workshop on the 10th anniversary of the DOC, which was held on Thursday morning.