Chinese vice president meets Cambodian deputy prime minister

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Tea Banh, Cambodian deputy prime minister and defense minister, in Beijing, capital of China, June 21, 2011. (Xinhua/Li Tao)
BEIJING, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping met with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Tea Banh and called for cultivating relations between the two countries and their armed forces to a higher level.

Xi, who is also vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission, spoke highly of the traditional friendship between the Chinese and Cambodian peoples and highlighted the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation between the two nations that has reached a new level.
The Chinese government highly values its ties with Cambodia and is ready to work with Cambodia for the healthy and stable development of the partnership, Xi said.

The vice president also noted that China, as a good neighbor, friend and partner of Cambodia, will unswervingly back the southeast Asian country's efforts to maintain its national solidarity and continue to offer necessary assistance to help the country's economic and social development.

Xi said military cooperation forms an important part in the bilateral relationship, calling on the two armies to further their exchanges and cooperation in a bid to push forward bilateral relations.

Echoing Xi's views, Tea Banh expressed his appreciation for China's long-term aid, pledging that the Cambodian army would continue to work hard in cooperation with its Chinese counterparts in various fields.

During his China visit, Tea Banh is also expected to hold bilateral talks with Defense Minister Liang Guanglie.
Tea Banh previously visited Beijing last September.

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Tea Banh, Cambodian deputy prime minister and defense minister, in Beijing, capital of China, June 21, 2011. (Xinhua/Li Tao)