Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Wednesday that the country's development in all fields could not be detached from China's aid and vowed to further deepen ties between the two countries.

"The progress in Cambodia cannot be separated from the contribution and support from China, particularly the aid in roads, bridges, electricity facilities and irrigation system," the premier said during a meeting with Gu Xiulian, visiting president of the China-Cambodia Friendship Association, at the capital's Peace Palace.

"All Chinese assistance to Cambodia has not only helped develop the Cambodian economy, but also strengthen Cambodia's independence and sovereignty on international arena," he said.

According to the figures recorded by the Cambodian Finance Ministry, to date, China has provided a total of 2.89 billion US dollars in the forms of grants, interest-free loans, and concessional loans to Cambodia for infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, irrigation system, ports, and electricity.

Besides, China is the largest investor in Cambodia. From 1994 to 2012, total Chinese investment in Cambodia has reached 9.17 billion US dollars.

On the trade side, two-way trade was valued at 2.83 billion US dollars in the first nine months of 2013 and is expected to reach 5 billion US dollars by 2017.

For tourism, Hun Sen foresaw that Cambodia was expected to receive at least 400,000 Chinese tourists in 2013. According to the Ministry of Tourism, during the first ten months of this year, some 376,570 Chinese tourists have visited Cambodia, up 42 percent year-on-year, placing China the second largest source of visitors to Cambodia after Vietnam.

The premier said Cambodia was looking forwards to further deepening the bilateral bond of friendship and cooperation.

For her part, Gu Xiulian said her delegation's visit to Cambodia was a part of the celebrations of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Cambodia diplomatic ties.

She reiterated that China saw Cambodia as a good and trustful neighbor, brother, partner, and friend, adding that the government and people of China always thanked Cambodia for supporting the China's policy and development.

After the meeting, Hun Sen and Gu Xiulian planted two tree seedlings--one is a Cambodian rosewood seedling and the other is an Osmanthus fragrans seedling brought from China--in the vicinity of the Government House to mark the 55th anniversary of the China- Cambodia diplomatic ties.