Jia Qinglin(C), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), arrives at the airport in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, on December 2, 2008. Jia Qinglin arrived here Tuesday, starting an official goodwill visit as guest of Cambodian Senate President Chea Sim. [Ju Peng/Xinhua]

China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin arrived in Phnom Penh on Tuesday, starting an official goodwill visit as guest of Cambodian Senate President Chea Sim.

In a written statement delivered upon arrival at the airport, Jia said China and Cambodia are friendly neighbors and the two peoples enjoy time-honored traditional friendship.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China-Cambodia friendship has grown from strength to strength, said Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

Jia Qinglin(L), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), arrives at the airport in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, on December 2, 2008.[Ju Peng/Xinhua]

He said the two countries have carried out effective exchanges and cooperation in the political, economic and trade, cultural and other fields and maintained good coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs.

"The growth of China-Cambodia relationship not only serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples, but also peace, stability and development of the region," said Jia, who will have an in-depth exchange of views with Cambodian leaders on issues of mutual interest for the purpose of cementing friendship, deepening mutual trust, promoting cooperation and pursuing common development.

He said he is confident that the visit will "be productive and contribute to the long-term stable growth of China-Cambodia good neighborly friendship and cooperation".

Cambodia is the last leg of Jia's four-nation visit which has taken him to Jordan, Turkey and Laos.

(Xinhua News Agency December 3, 2008)