Prime Minister Hun Sen sent a letter of congratulations to Li Qiang for his appointment as premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, replacing Li Keqiang.

Chinese media outlet Xinhua reported on March 11 that “China’s President Xi Jinping signed a presidential order to appoint Li Qiang as premier on Saturday at the ongoing session of China's national legislature.”

In a March 11 letter, Hun Sen said that he extended his warmest congratulations to Li on this auspicious occasion and conveyed his best wishes for tremendous success to him, his government and the people of China.

“I firmly believe that, with Your Excellency's wise leadership and vast experience, China will continue to achieve its long-term development goals, advance the great rejuvenation and play a more vital role on the international stage,” he said in the letter.

Hun Sen said that the two countries are celebrating the 65th anniversary of the establishment of long-standing, traditional diplomatic relations, which have been growing from strength to strength.

“I would like to assure Your Excellency of Cambodia's firm commitment to working closely with China to develop our ‘Diamond Cooperation’, solidify our ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Cooperation’, and enhance the building of a ‘Community with a Shared Future’ for the mutual interests of our countries and our peoples as well as for peace, stability and prosperity in the region and beyond,” Hun Sen said.