Hun Sen expects stronger Sino-Cambodian friendship ties [-Kowtowing seems to work with the Chinese?]

December 13, 2010
Xinhua

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Sunday that his official visit to China on Dec. 13-17 will further strengthen the friendship relations between the two countries with more than a dozen agreements to be signed.

"Fourteen agreements will be signed with China, possibly the 15th agreement on exporting cassava from Cambodia will also be signed" during his visit, Hun Sen said during the inauguration of new premises in a pagoda in Sen Sok district of Phnom Penh.

Some of the agreements related to China's financial assistance to construct a 300 km national road off the national road 4 to Chhumkiri district of Kampot province and a canal, he said.

And the agreements also include the construction of the second Chruoy Changvar bridge in Phnom Penh and a bridge across Tonle Bassac in Takhmao district of Kandal province, as well as the construction of a coal-fired power plant in Preah Sihanouk province, he added.

"In the past, we signed rice export agreement with China already, and we hope to sign the cassava exports to China during the visit and we are suggesting for corn export deal with China also," he said.

"Our farmers will make use of rice and cassava exports because Chinese market is very big."

Hun Sen said the visit is to strengthen friendship relations between Cambodia and China.

Prime Minister Hun Sen will pay an official visit to China from Dec. 13 to 17 at the invitation of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. He will be accompanied by Hor Namhong, minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, Cham Prasidh, minister of commerce, and other Cambodian high ranking officials.