On June 15, 2003, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen held talks with visiting Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing in Phnom Penh.

During the talks, Hun Sen spoke highly of the Cambodia-China relationship. He said that in the recent years rich contents have been added into bilateral friendly cooperation which has reached a new high.  He expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Chinese government and people for their long-standing precious support and assistance to Cambodia in its efforts to realize peace, national reconciliation and economic development. He said the cooperation between Cambodia and China has resulted in concrete benefits for both countries, such as the bridge steel offered by China, which was warmly welcomed by the Cambodian people. Hun Sen reaffirmed that Cambodia will continue to strengthen and develop friendly relations with China, which he said are one of the priorities of Cambodia's external policies.

Li said that the deep friendship has been rooted in the long-term historical exchanges between the Chinese and Cambodian peoples, and in the recent years especially, bilateral friendship has enjoyed vigorous advancement thanks to the efforts of leaders of both countries. He added that the new leadership of China will continue its consistent foreign policy toward its neighbors, and is ready to make good neighbors, good partners and good friends with neighboring countries to actively implement the joint declaration, continuously expand and intensify cooperation and carry out bilateral trade and economic programs.

Li noted that taking the presidency of ASEAN, Cambodia hosted several major regional meetings last year, and the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of the ASEAN and related countries is about to be held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Li said that China appreciates Cambodia's active role in promoting regional cooperation and is ready to make joint efforts with the Cambodian side to ensure the success of the meeting.

Before his meeting with Hun Sen on the same day, Li held talks with his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong. Both sides had in-depth exchanges of views on matters concerning bilateral ties, the upcoming ASEAN annual meetings, as well as regional and international issues of common interest. During his visit, Li also handed over a batch of assistance materials for medical use to the Cambodian side.