AFP – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet met Chinese President Xi Jinping yesterday, looking to build on the close ties his father Hun Sen built with Beijing.
Hun Sen ruled Cambodia with an iron fist for almost four decades, and handed over the premiership to his son in August.
Under his government, Cambodia became one of Beijing’s strongest allies in Southeast Asia.
At Beijing’s Great Hall of the People yesterday, Xi said Hun Sen made “historic contributions to the cause of Sino-Cambodian friendship”, and urged him to visit China often, according to a readout of his meeting with Hun Manet from state broadcaster CCTV.
Xi said he believed Hun Manet’s visit would help promote ties between the two countries “in a deeper and more practical way”.
Hun Manet’s visit to China is one of his first trips abroad since becoming prime minister.
He is also expected to hold talks with Premier Li Qiang and head of the Standing Committee of China’s top lawmaking body Zhao Leji, his spokesperson Meas Sophorn told the press at Phnom Penh International Airport.
Hun Manet will then travel to the southern city of Nanning to attend the 20th ASEAN-China Expo.
