Chinese President H.E. Xi Jinping re-affirmed China’s stance to continue assisting Cambodia against the EU’s threat to withdraw its “Everything But Arms” (EBA) preferential scheme and announced 600 million Yuan assistance to the national defence of Cambodia.

H.E. Kao Kim Hourn, a Delegate Minister Attached to the Prime Minister, told the National Television of Kampuchea (TVK) after the meeting that H.E. Xi Jinping expressed his appreciation for Samdech Techo Hun Sen’s presence at the 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and lauded the bilateral cooperation between both nations.

H.E. Xi Jiiping said Cambodia and China are good friends and both nations have to foster their friendship and cooperation. Under the Belt and Road initiative, China will continue pushing for the construction of special economic zones, expressways and airports in Cambodia, especially importing Cambodian milled rice at the agreed quota of 400,000 tons, he added.

In addition, the Chinese president announced to provide 600 million Yuan to support the national defence sector of Cambodia.

For EBA, H.E. Xi Jinping affirmed, China will continue to help Cambodia maintain its legal right.

For his part, Samdech Techo Hun Sen expressed thanks to the Chinese president for the warm welcome and hospitality. He congratulated China on the successful hosting of the 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, and hoped to attend the 3rd edition in the future.

Samdech Techo Prime Minister spoke highly of the fruitful results of the cooperation between Cambodia and China, and briefed H.E. Xi Jinping on the current good economic situation in Cambodia.

The Kingdom has been conducting internal reform to ensure the country’s competitiveness, underlined Samdech Techo Hun Sen, calling for continued and more Chinese investments and more imports of Cambodian products.