Prime Minister Hun Sen may meet Chinese officials and communist party leaders in Beijing later this week, but the visit is “unofficial,” a Chinese Embassy spokesman said Tuesday.
The Chinese diplomat described Hun Sen’s trip as an “unofficial visit to meet the King [Norodom Sihanouk],” who is currently living in Beijing.
The prime minister will lead a “small contingent” to Beijing on Thursday direct from Hanoi, where he and other top government officials have gathered for the Asean summit, an aide to Hun Sen said Saturday. The aide said they will return to Cambodia on Saturday or Sunday.
A government source said securing financial support was a top priority of the government and Hun Sen is hoping to meet top Chinese officials to discuss possible aid or business packages. “Money is needed badly,” said the source.
(Additional reporting Chris Decherd)
