PHNOM PENH — State Councilor Yang Jiechi met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Dec 31 and pledged to provide continued support to Cambodia for socio-economic development, a Cambodian spokesman said.

“His Excellency Yang Jiechi told the prime minister that he was pleased to see excellent ties between China and Cambodia,” Eang Sophalleth, a spokesman for Prime Minister Hun Sen, told reporters after the meeting.

“Yang also said that China would continue supporting Cambodia in the areas of agriculture, water resources, telecommunication, defense, law enforcement and anti-terrorism,” he said.

According to the spokesman, Yang also promised to encourage more Chinese tourists and business people to Cambodia.

For his part, Hun Sen highly spoke of Yang’s visit to Cambodia, which he sees was vital to further enhancing bilateral ties and cooperation.

The exchange of visits between the leaders of the two countries was a key factor to boost their comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation, Hun Sen said.

The prime minister also expressed his sincere and heartfelt thanks to China for paying special attention to the health of Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath.

Yang started his two-day working visit to Cambodia on Dec 30, where he joined Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong in co-chairing the 2nd meeting of the Inter-Governmental Coordination Committee between China and Cambodia.