Cambodian streets in welcoming atmosphere for Xi's visit

Streets in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, are brimming with a welcoming atmosphere for Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit.

Along the roads, national flags of China and Cambodia are neatly lined up, with large portraits of the two countries' leaders prominently displayed.

Cambodia is the final leg of his three-nation Southeast Asia tour from April 14 to 18, following state visits to Vietnam and Malaysia.

Representatives from China and France expressed a strong commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation across diverse sectors during an economic and trade forum in Lyon, France, on Thursday.

The event took place at the Chinese Consulate General in Lyon, bringing together scholars and representatives from business, finance, tourism, and other key sectors of both countries.

Lyon, a major industrial and economic hub in central France, has long served as a key player in China-France cooperation. Many attendees highlighted the city's historical and contemporary role in strengthening bilateral ties.

"The cooperation between Lyon and China has a long history, dating back to the days of the ancient Silk Road. Today, the newly established Sino-French Institute in Lyon further deepens mutual understanding between our peoples," said Philippe Valentin, president of the Lyon Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

French business representatives see immense potential for deeper cooperation between the two nations.

"China is today, I would say, the top in terms of automotive, in terms of innovation and new patents. And we are also looking for a lot of different skills and innovation to develop our development and collaboration in China," said Herve Vericel, vice president of Business Development and Advanced Engineering of Saint Jean Industries.

Chinese participants also expressed confidence in the future of bilateral cooperation.

"From aviation and sustainable development to infrastructure, China and France not only share extensive common interests, but also have their distinct advantages," said Zhou Mi, senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation under the Chinese Ministry of Commerce.

Yu Jiang, consul general of China in Lyon, underscored the growing momentum of people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

"People-to-people exchanges between the two countries will become faster and more frequent, making our friendship stronger and more enduring," he said.