Premier Wen Jiabao met with King of Cambodia Norodom Sihamoni in Beijing Wednesday.

Wen said the China-Cambodia friendship is fostered through efforts of generations of leaders from the two countries and has endured the test of international changes over the past years.

"The two sides have always actively developed friendly relations as good neighbors and achieved a series of substantial results in bilateral cooperation on the basis of peaceful coexistence, which benefits China, Cambodia and our two peoples," Wen said.

Wen stressed that the Chinese government attaches great importance on its good-neighborly friendship with Cambodia and values its special friendship with the Cambodian royal family.

"China is willing to join hands with Cambodia to step up mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas in a bid to bring bilateral relations to a new level," he said.

The China-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) relationship has seen rapid development in recent years and China cherishes that very much, Wen said.

"We hope to see a united and strong ASEAN. We hope to make joint efforts with all ASEAN member states to promote regional cooperation and contribute to regional peace and prosperity."

Sihamoni said the leaders and peoples from the two countries have established profound friendship over the past years. His visit to China is aimed at carrying the traditional friendly relations into the future.

Sihamoni expressed the Cambodian people's appreciation for the great achievements gained by the Chinese people and are grateful for China's sincere support and help to them throughout the decades.

He said the current friendly exchanges and cooperation are down-to-earth, mutually beneficial and inspiring.

The Cambodian royal family, parliament, government and people will continue to consolidate the traditional friendship between Cambodia and China and to deepen bilateral exchanges and cooperation in all aspects.

He reiterated Cambodian's firm adherence to the one-China policy and objection to "Taiwan independence" in any form.

This is Sihamoni's first state visit to China since he took the throne last October.

(Xinhua News Agency August 12, 2005)