In 2013, the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation between the People's Republic of China and the Kingdom of Cambodia developed smoothly and practical cooperation in all fields made positive progress.
The two countries had frequent high-level visits. In February, CPPCC Chairman Jia Qinglin attended the funeral of King Father Norodom Sihanouk in Cambodia and met with King Norodom Sihamoni, Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk and Prime Minister Hun Sen respectively. In September, Premier Li Keqiang met with Prime Minister Hun Sen on the sidelines of the 10th China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, Guangxi. In September, Liu Yunshan, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, visited Cambodia and met with King Sihamoni, President of the National Assembly Heng Samrin, Prime Minister Hun Sen, First Vice President of the Senate Say Chhum and President of Funcinpec Party Princess Arun Rasmey respectively. In August, Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Cambodia and met with Prime Minister Hun Sen and President of Funcinpec Party Princess Arun Rasmey respectively and had talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hor Namhong.
In February, King Sihamoni and Queen Mother Monineath came to China for recuperation. In August, King Sihamoni and Queen Mother Monineath came to China for recuperation. King Sihamoni attended the opening ceremony of the second Asia Youth Games in Nanjing upon invitation and Vice Premier Liu Yandong met with him. In April, Prime Minister Hun Sen visited China and attended the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2013. President Xi Jinping and NPC Chairman Zhang Dejiang met with him respectively and Premier Li Keqiang had talks with him. In December, Second Vice President of the Senate Tep Ngorn visited China. In December, member of the Standing Committee of the Central Committee of the People's Party and Deputy Prime Minister Sok An visited China at the head of a People's Party delegation.
Economic and trade cooperation was carried out smoothly with remarkable growth in bilateral trade volume. In 2013, the two-way trade volume reached US$3.77 billion, an increase of 29% year-on-year, in which China exported US$3.41 billion, up by 26%, and imported US$360 million, up by 68%. In 2013, Chinese enterprises contracted new projects worth US$1.11 billion in total in Cambodia, down by 62%, and the turnover was US$1.43 billion, up by 22%. In 2013, Chinese enterprises made US$490 million of non-financial direct investment in Cambodia.
The two countries continued to deepen their cooperation in all areas. The two parties maintained the good momentum of exchanges and the two militaries had close interactions. In January, Deputy Chief of General Staff of the People's Liberation Army Lieutenant General Qi Jianguo visited Cambodia at the head of a delegation. In April and November, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Tea Banh made study tours to China. The law enforcement departments of the two countries carried out close cooperation and maintained their close coordination in fighting telecommunication fraud and transnational crimes.
The year 2013 marked the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Cambodia and was the Year of China-Cambodia Friendship. The two sides launched a series of commemorative activities together, which expanded the friendly exchanges between the two peoples and increased their mutual understanding and friendship. The two countries had active people-to-people exchanges. Chairman of the China-Cambodia Friendship Association Gu Xiulian led a delegation from the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and carried out the "Brightness Action", during which treatment was provided for Cambodia's cataract patients free of charge.
