DAP: The breaking news in Cambodia: “Senior CPC leader encourages overseas Chinese in Malaysia to contribute to bilateral cooperation” plus 5 more

KUALA LUMPUR, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Visiting senior leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC) He Guoqiang on Friday encouraged overseas Chinese in Malaysia to continue to contribute to enhancing cooperation between China and Malaysia and fostering the friendship between the two peoples.

He, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau and head of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, addressed a breakfast banquet held by the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia, highlighting that the China-Malaysia ties have maintained robust growth since the two forged strategic cooperation in 2004.

Hailing the contribution the overseas Chinese have made to China's development, He said overseas Chinese, including those in Malaysia, played a significant bridging role in the country's economic booming and the growth of Sino-Malaysian friendly cooperation.

"Friends who are present today are the witnesses and contributor to the China-Malaysia cooperation," He said, expressing the hope that the overseas Chinese in Malaysia could continue to support China's development when they develop their businesses in Malaysia.

He also called on them to continue to contribute to China's great rejuvenation and boost China-Malaysia friendship to a new height.

More than 100 people from all walks of life attended the banquet.

After the banquet, He held a small seminar with representatives of five Chinese companies which have established branches in Malaysia, urging them to forge a clear awareness of expanding cooperation with Malaysia, promote their businesses under the ASEAN framework, expand the sharing of their interests with local business and people and fulfill their social responsibility to build a positive image in the area.

He started his good-will official visit to Malaysia on Thursday. It is the third leg of his four-nation tour after He concluded his visits to Laos and Cambodia. The trip will also take him to Russia.

PHNOM PENH, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Bilateral trade volume between Cambodia and Japan in the first five months of this year reached 207 million U.S. dollars, up 3 percent from 201 million U.S. dollars during the same period last year, according to a report of the Japan External Trade Organization on Saturday.

During the January-May period this year, Cambodia's exports to Japan were 136 million U.S. dollars, up 18 percent from 115 million U.S. dollars during the same period a year ago, while Japan's exports to Cambodia stood at 71 million U.S. dollars, down 17 percent from 86 million U.S. dollars, the report said.

The main products Cambodia exported to Japan are garment products, footwear, sugar, fish and seafood, and the country bought back from Japan machinery, automobiles, electronic products, meats, iron, steel and pharmaceutical products.

Currently, some 108 Japanese-owned companies are operating in Cambodia in different sectors.

In 2011, the two nations' trade volume was 514 million U.S. dollars.

PHNOM PENH, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Chair of 2012 ASEAN, left Cambodia on Saturday for Los Cabos, Mexico to attend the G20 Summit to be held on June 18-19.

Senior government officials accompanying the premier to the meeting include Deputy Prime Minister and foreign minister Hor Namhong, secretary general of the Council for the Development of Cambodia Sok Chenda Sophea, finance secretary of state Aun Porn Moniroth and other officials, Srey Thamrong, a minister attached to the Prime Minister Hun Sen, told reporters at Phnom Penh International Airport before the departure.

"The participation is in the name of ASEAN," he said.

During the meeting, Hun Sen, on behalf of ASEAN, will deliver a speech expressing ASEAN stance on various topics raised in the summit, said Srey Thamrong.

The premier will also address the summit on the issue of food and fuel's price inequality, strengthening the international financial resources and promoting financial governance, according to a press release from the foreign ministry.

The G20 Summit will discuss topics including global economy, enhancement of international financial architecture, promotion of financial inclusion, green growth, infrastructure, food security and job creation, it said.

The Group of 20 (countries) comprises the world's biggest industrialized and developing economies.

Also, in Mexico, Hun Sen is scheduled to hold a bilateral talk with Mexican President Felipe Calderon Hinojosa.

PHNOM PENH, June 15 (Xinhua) -- The newly-designated Ambassador of the United States to Cambodia William E. Todd on Friday pledged to strengthen and expand the relations and cooperation with Cambodia in all fields for mutual interests.

He made the remark during a meeting with President of Cambodia' s National Assembly Heng Samrin, Kaim Sokal, the spokesman for Heng Samrin, told reporters after the meeting.

Todd said the United States would still continue helping Cambodia strengthen democracy and human rights.

He added that the visit of Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong to the United States on June 12 was a new testament of growing relationship between the two countries and that in July, the U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will make a visit to Cambodia to attend the 19th ASEAN Regional Forum.

Meanwhile, Heng Samrin said the two countries' relations and cooperation have gradually strengthened and expanded, especially in the fields of politics, foreign affairs, military, trade, education, health and demining.

On bilateral trade, he said, Cambodia exported garments and footwear to the United States equivalent to 2 billion U.S. dollars last year. In return, the United States exported to Cambodia an amount of 180 million U.S. dollars.

Todd substituted the outgoing U.S. ambassador to Cambodia Carol A.Rodley. He had presented his credentials to Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni to mark his official start of diplomatic mission in the kingdom last Friday.