President Jiang Zemin Meets Cambodian Senate President Chea Sim

President Jiang Zemin met with the Cambodian Senate President Chea Sim on the afternoon of Nov. 13, 2000.

President Jiang said that at the invitation of His Majesty the King, he is paying a state visit to Cambodia for the first time, during which he has been warmly received by the Cambodian government and people. He feels very much at home in Phnom Penh and he is very grateful for all the hospitalities accorded to him.

Chea Sim warmly received President Jiang on behalf of the Cambodian Senate and commended his state visit as a historic event. He said that the Cambodian people have been looking forward to President Jiang's visit for quite sometime and he is convinced that the visit will help to enhance the long-standing historical friendship and cooperation between the two countries. He added that the visit, which is a major event in the history of bilateral relations, would not only promote the growth of Cambodian-Chinese ties but also open a new chapter of bilateral friendship. The visit will also exert positive impact on regional peace and stability.

He also expressed gratitude for China's selfless assistance and support to Cambodia in its efforts to safeguard sovereignty and independence and its national construction and other various causes. The Cambodian Senate is willing to further enhance exchanges and contacts with China and make active contribution to the development of the bilateral ties.

Chea Sim reiterated that Cambodia would continue to adopt the One-China policy and recognize that there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is a province of China.

President Jiang said that China and Cambodia are friendly neighbors and the friendship between the two countries was forged and cultivated by King Sihanouk and Chinese leaders of the older generations. He recalled that he and King Sihanouk had met on 10 occasions since he started to work in the Central Committee of CPC. He said that he can strongly sense the high prestige of King Sihanouk in Cambodia and believes that under the leadership of the King, Cambodia will be able to score even greater achievements in various fields.

President Jiang said that China and Cambodia have had contacts since ancient times, which is a positive factor to the promotion of bilateral ties. China sets large store by its traditional friendship with Cambodia and stands ready to step up friendly and multi-faceted contacts with Cambodia in all fields and deepen the all-round cooperation in political, economic, cultural and other fields with a view to benefiting the two countries and two peoples.

President Jiang expressed appreciation for Cambodia's adherence to the One China policy.

President Jiang also spoke highly of the friendly ties between China and Cambodia's People's Party, adding that contacts between CPC and the People's Party should be intensified so that they can learn from each other and expand the cooperation.

President Jiang also invited Chea Sim to visit China at his convenient time.

Nov. 14, 2000