PHNOM PENH, July 16 -- Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong on Wednesday praised China for its rapid development in all fields, particularly in the economic front.

"China's fast development, especially in the economic sector, is due to the right and wise leadership of the current Chinese government," he said during a meeting with a delegation of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs led by former Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Zhang Jinfeng.

He said China's progress has helped develop the economies of other countries.

For Cambodia, he said the country's social and economic development could not be separated from Chinese assistance.

The minister also spoke highly of excellent ties and cooperation between the two countries and attributed these close relations to the frequent exchanges of visits between the leaders of the two nations.

For her part, Zhang Jinfeng said China and Cambodia are good and reliable friends, neighbors, brothers and partners.

She said her delegation's visit to Cambodia was to further strengthen bilateral ties between the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs and the Royal Academy of Cambodia as well as the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace.

The Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs was founded in December 1949, focusing on international issues and foreign policy research with an aim to conduct international exchanges and expand people-to-people activities.