Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hor Namhong left Cambodia on Sunday morning for a 3-day visit to China.

The visit aimed at cementing Cambodia-China ties and ASEAN- China relations, said a press release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

At the Phnom Penh International Airport, the minister was seen off by Chinese ambassador to Cambodia Pan Guangxue and senior officials of the ministry.

"Cambodia and China have had very close and special relations and cooperation since the past to the present. The visit is to deepen the friendship relations," Hor Namhong told reporters before his departure.

During the stay in China, he said that he will hold talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on bilateral, regional and international issues; then, he will pay courtesy calls on China's top leaders.

In addition, the minister will deliver a speech on the ASEAN- China relations at the ASEAN-China Center and visit a Cultural Center.

Cambodia is the chair of ASEAN in 2012. With the chairmanship, the country pledged to strengthen closer ties and cooperation between the ASEAN and China.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.