On the afternoon of November 18, local time, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrived at Phnom Penh International Airport by special plane to attend the 15th China-ASEAN (10+1) Leaders' Meeting, the Commemorative Summit for the 15th Anniversary of ASEAN plus China, Japan and the ROK (10+3) cooperation as well as the 7th East Asia Summit and pay an official visit to Cambodia.

On the way to Phnom Penh, Wen told reporters that East Asian cooperation is developing fast and has achieved fruitful results, but it also faces a number of challenges. It's the only right choice and common wish for East Asian nations to make a concerted effort to overcome the current difficulties as the recovery of the world economy slows and East Asia is faced with increasing pressure.

Wen said China's growth is expected to go on with better quality for a quite long period, continuing to be an important engine for regional and world growth. Wen said he will stress unity, cooperation and development as he attends the meetings. The Chinese premier noted he will put forward a series of new proposals during the meetings and try to enhance mutual trust and seek more common ground with all of the other sides to advance cooperation in East Asia in a stable, healthy and sustained way. Wen said he was confident about these expectations.

On his visit to Cambodia, Wen pointed out that the two countries are friendly neighbors and their traditional friendship has a long history. Cambodia is holding the current rotating ASEAN presidency and to host East Asian leaders meetings. Wen said he hopes his visit will further strengthen the traditional friendship, deepen reciprocal cooperation, and boost the communication and coordination between the two sides in regional affairs so as to boost the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries and better benefit their peoples.

Upon his arrival in Phnom Penh, Wen was greeted at the airport by senior officials from the Cambodian government, Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Pan Guangxue and Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN Yang Xiuping.