Cambodia's prime minister kicked off a visit to China on Monday, signing more than a dozen agreements in areas such as energy and infrastructure, emphasizing China's growing presence in the region's less-developed countries. After a welcoming ceremony with a military band, Hun Sen held talks with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. He was also scheduled to meet Chinese President Hu Jintao and top lawmaker Wu Bangguo during his five-day stay. «China and Cambodia continue to strengthen friendly cooperation. This is in the interest of the people of the two nations and also in the interest of regional peace and stability,» Wen told Hun Sen. After their meeting, the two leaders signed 13 separate agreements in various domains, including a hydroelectric deal with Chinese company Sinohydro Corp, and deals with China Development Bank as well as the Export-Import Bank of China, the Associated Press reported.
