Chinese President Xi Jinping appreciated Cambodia's firm support to China's fight against the coronavirus epidemic, calling its Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen's visit a demonstration of the close tie and mutual trust between the two countries.

Hun Sen's visit comes at a critical moment when China is putting all-out efforts to contain the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). He arrived in Beijing on Wednesday afternoon and is expected to leave the country at night.

"A friend in need is a friend indeed," Xi said, adding the great support from Hun Sen and the people of Cambodia well interprets the core meaning of the China-Cambodia community of shared future.

Xi reiterated China's confidence and capability of winning the battle against the disease and ensured Hun Sen that China will attach great importance to the health and security of Cambodian citizens in China.

China has already taken the most comprehensive and strictest prevention measures in containing the outbreak, and will continue to enhance cooperation with all countries in an open and transparent manner in the fight against the epidemic, Xi emphasized.

Hun Sen said his visit intends to show Cambodia's firm determination to stand with China. Cambodia is China's "true friend", and the people of Cambodia share the weal and woe with the Chinese people, he stressed. 

The panic is more horrible than the virus itself. Cambodia will continue normal exchanges and cooperation with China, Hun Sen said. 

Read more:

Cambodian PM arrives in Beijing, lauds China's efforts against coronavirus

Before meeting with Xi, Hun Sen also met with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang Wednesday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Li reiterated that the Chinese government always took public health as its priority and vowed that the government will continue to take scientific prevention measures and save people's lives with all-out efforts.

(Cover: Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) shakes hands with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen, Beijing, China, February 5, 2020. /Xinhua Photo)