Premier Li Keqiang arrived at Phnom Penh International Airport on Tuesday to kick off his first visit abroad since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

During his six-day stay in Cambodia, he will attend a series of leaders' meetings on East Asian cooperation and conduct an official visit to Cambodia itself.

Noting that profound and complex changes are taking place in the region and the world, Li said at the airport that China hopes the leaders' meetings will focus on development and cooperation, uphold multilateralism and free trade, and enhance mutual benefit.

He called on East Asian countries to jointly preserve secure and smooth global industrial and supply chains, join hands to tackle global challenges, and inject new impetus into promoting regional economic integration as well as peace, stability, development, and prosperity in the region and beyond.

While in Cambodia, Li will attend a meeting between China and member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and a meeting of China, Japan, South Korea, and ASEAN countries, as well as the 17th East Asia Summit.

The premier also said that China and Cambodia are close neighbors with a deep traditional friendship and noted that the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries keeps making new progress.

He said he hopes his visit will increase outcomes in building the China-Cambodia community with a shared future to deliver more benefits to the two countries and their peoples.

During his official visit, Li will meet King Norodom Sihamoni, and hold talks with Prime Minister Hun Sen.

He will also witness the signing of bilateral cooperation documents, and attend events marking the inauguration of the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway and the handover of the Ta Keo Temple, which was restored with Chinese assistance.