The head of China's political advisory body said in Beijing Wednesday that the new generation of Chinese leadership cherishes its friendship with the royal family of Cambodia and values China's relationship with Cambodia.

Jia Qinglin (R), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, shakes hands with former Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk during a meeting in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing April 6, 2005.

Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said the new Chinese leadership will be friends with its neighbors and work with Cambodia to push bilateral cooperation in various areas to a higher level.

Jia made the remarks during a meeting with former Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk and his wife Norodom Monineath Sihanouk in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Wednesday afternoon.

The former Cambodian King is in Beijing for a routine health check.

Jia conveyed Chinese President Hu Jintao and his wife's cordial greetings to Sihanouk and his wife. Sihanouk expressed his gratitude on this and asked Jia to convey his warm-hearted greetings to President Hu and his wife.

Jia praised Sihanouk as a good old friend of the Chinese people, while Sihanouk recalled his friendship and communications with generations of Chinese leaders.

Jia said Sihanouk has been working on strengthening friendship between the people of the two countries and made outstanding contribution to the development of bilateral relations.

Sihanouk thanked the Chinese government and people for giving invaluable support to Cambodia over many years, which played an important role in peace and development of Cambodia.

Jia said the relations between China and Cambodia is currently growing healthily, noting that leaders of the two countries have exchanged visits frequently and that bilateral cooperation in all areas produced good results.

Jia thanked Cambodia for supporting China on the questions of Taiwan and Tibet. He especially expressed appreciation on Cambodia repeatedly issuing statements to support the passage of the Anti-Secession Law by China's National People's Congress (NPC).

Sihanouk reiterated that Cambodia will as always adhere to the one-China policy, firmly support China's cause of reunification and oppose any activities of seeking "Taiwan independence."

Sihanouk also expressed the willingness to continue to work for promoting friendship between the two countries.