国内英语新闻:China, Cambodia agree to deepen cooperation

PHNOM PENH, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- China will make joint efforts with Cambodia to achieve a win-win cooperation, Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping said Monday.

    "Furthering relations with Cambodia has long been China's consistent policy," Xi told Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen during talks.

Visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (R) and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (L) review the guard of honor during a welcoming ceremony in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Dec. 21, 2009.

Hailing the traditional friendship fostered by the leaders of the old generation of the two countries, Xi said China and Cambodia have maintained political trust and fruitful cooperation and support each other in international and regional affairs.

    He called China-Cambodia relations "a good example of sincere cooperation between countries with different social systems."

Visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (R2) and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (L2) hold talks in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Dec. 21, 2009

Xi put forward a four-point proposal to cement relations with Cambodia, including keeping high-level contacts, strengthening exchanges on country governance, deepening economic and trade cooperation and promoting coordination in international and regional affairs.

    Xi said the free trade zone between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) would be completed in 2010, and China and Cambodia should take the chance to push for stable and balanced growth in their bilateral trade.

    Hun Sen said he was happy to meet with Chinese leaders for the first time in the new government building, which was constructed with China's assistance and has served as an embodiment of the friendliness between the two countries.

Visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (L, front) shakes hands with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (R2) during a signing ceremony of the two country's mutually-beneficial cooperation documents in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Dec. 21, 2009.

He spoke highly of China's development and its contribution to neighboring countries' progress and expressed gratitude for China's long-term support for Cambodia's development.

    Hun Sen said Cambodia would strengthen cooperation with China in the political, trade, cultural, tourism and security fields and pledged the country's adherence to the one-China policy.

    After their talks, the two leaders attended a signing ceremony for a deal on China's preferential loan to Cambodia.

    Xi also presented a wreath to the independence monument in Phnom Penh on Monday.