Cambodian FM to visit China to boost ties

Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong, who is also a minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation, will lead a delegation to visit China on Feb. 5-7 in order to strengthen bilateral ties and ASEAN- China relations, according to the ministry's press release on Thursday. The visit is made at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi. During the visit, Hor Namhong will hold talks with Yang Jiechi on some bilateral and international issues, said the press release. The minister will deliver a speech on the ASEAN-China relations at the ASEAN-China Center. He will also meet with some other Chinese high-ranking officials. Cambodia is the chair of ASEAN in 2012. With the chairmanship, the country pledged to strengthen closer ties and cooperation between ASEAN and China. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.