Top Cambodian leaders met separately in Phnom Penh Wednesday with the visiting Chinese delegation headed by Li Jingtian, vice chairman of the Organization Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC). 

During the meetings, Chairman of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and President of the Senate Chea Sim, Vice Chairman of the CPP and Prime Minister Hun Sen and Chairman of FUNCINPEC Party Prince Norodom Ranariddh and their Chinese guest briefed each other about their domestic conditions and exchanged views on Sino-Cambodian ties and regional and international issues of common concern.

Chea Sim and Hun Sen spoke highly of the steady and healthy development of friendly ties between Cambodia and China. They thanked CPC and the Chinese government and people for their active support and aid for the development cause of Cambodia over the past many years.

Prince Ranariddh highly commended the great progress the Chinese people have achieved in various fields under the leadership of the CPC.

He said the FUNCINPEC Party will never change its friendship policy toward China at anytime and at any circumstance, and will support China's cause of peaceful reunification.

All Cambodian leaders reaffirmed that Cambodia will continue to adhere to the one-China policy and will firmly oppose Taiwan authorities' attempts to seek independence.

Li Jingtian, who is also alternate member of the Central Committee of CPC, expressed thanks to Cambodia for its firm stand on the one-China policy.

Li said the development of Sino-Cambodian good-neighborly friendship is not only the common wish of the two peoples, but also serves the fundamental interest of the two people.

He said China is willing to make joint efforts with Cambodia to elevate their good-neighborly ties and friendly cooperation to a higher level.

Li and his delegation arrived here Monday evening on a five-day friendly visit at the invitation of the Cambodian People's Party.

(Xinhua News Agency March 11, 2004)