China will work with Cambodia to promote bilateral good-neighborly friendship and reciprocal cooperation to a new stage, said China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin in Phnom Penh on Wednesday at a meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Jia Qinglin (R), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, meets with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, December 3, 2008. [Xinhua]

Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made a three-point proposal for furthering bilateral cooperation.

The first is to expand economic and trade cooperation of mutual benefit. The two sides should make joint efforts for an early realization of an annual bilateral trade volume of one billion US dollars set for the year 2010.

The Chinese side supports reciprocal cooperation in various forms between enterprises of the two sides, and hopes the Cambodian side will provide facilities for bilateral cooperation.

The second is to strengthen cooperation in other fields such as culture, education, tourism and health, and expand exchanges between young people of the two countries.

The third is to enhance contacts between political parties of the two countries.

Jia, who arrived here Tuesday on an official goodwill visit as guest of Cambodian Senate President Chea Sim, said Sino-Cambodian friendship based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence conforms to the aspirations and fundamental interests of the two peoples.

China's policy on the development of bilateral friendship, which is part of China's foreign policy, will not change, said Jia, adding that China appreciates Cambodia's adherence to the one-China policy.

Jia also spoke highly of the development of bilateral relations in the past five decades of diplomatic ties.

Hun Sen said the Cambodian government attaches great importance to its friendly relations with China and will work with the Chinese side to expand bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields and strengthen coordination and support in international affairs.

He said China's development will not only benefit itself, but also contribute to peace and development of the region and the world at large.

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)