Chinese President Xi Jinping (2nd R) meets with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni (2nd L) and his mother, former Queen Norodom Monineath (1st L), in Beijing, capital of China, March 6, 2017. Xi's wife Peng Liyuan (1st R) attended the meeting. (Xinhua/Zhang Duo)

BEIJING, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and his mother, former Queen Norodom Monineath, on Monday.

Xi hailed the profound friendship between Chinese and Cambodian people, adding the friendship is very precious as it was started and fostered by the older generations of Chinese leaders and Cambodian former King Norodom Sihanouk.

Xi and Sihamoni exchanged visits in 2016. Xi said China-Cambodia ties have witnessed rapid growth, citing high political mutual trust, win-win economic cooperation, mutual support in domestic development and close coordination in global and regional affairs.

The Cambodian royal family has been committed to boosting friendship with China and has made great contributions in this regard, he added.

Xi called on both sides to maintain high-level contacts, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, synergize their development strategies, boost cooperation on key projects, and strengthen coordination in multilateral affairs.

Sihamoni and his mother recalled Xi's visit to Cambodia last year, adding bilateral friendship and cooperation had been consolidated through the visit.

The Cambodian royal family, government and people appreciate China's support for the country's economic and social development, they said, vowing to carry on the former King Sihanouk's friendship policy toward China and boost stronger bilateral ties.

Sihamoni and his mother arrived in Beijing on Friday.