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Cambodia's king starts his first official visit
Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni, a former ballet dancer and cultural ambassador, greeted President Hu Jintao with a traditional Cambodian gesture yesterday afternoon, in his first State visit since ascending to the throne. At the meeting in the Great Hall of the People, Sihamoni told Hu that he chose China for his first State visit to "inherit and further the traditional friendly ties" with China, a "sincere and time-honoured friend and neighbour." Ten months ago, Sihamoni made his first official appearance at the hall - meeting President Hu - four days after he was crowned as new king of Cambodia on October 14, 2004. Recalling the scene, Hu again congratulated Sihamoni on his succession. Hu also vowed to strengthen co-operation between the two countries in all fields. Sihamoni said Cambodia thanks China for the assistance it has offered to his nation over the years. Cambodia will continue to adhere to the one-China policy and nurture closer good-neighbourly ties with China, he added. In Phnom Penh, National Assembly President Norodom Ranariddh said it was significant that Sihamoni had chosen China for his first official visit after his father abdicated for health reasons. Cambodian media said Sihamoni's visit indicates increasing commercial ties with China, which reportedly pledged more than US$400 million in investments, grants and loans to Cambodia last month.
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