Cambodia's new prime minister says he will visit China later this week. Hun Manet will meet his Chinese counterpart for the first time.

Cambodia and China are marking the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties this year.

Hun Manet's visit is likely to show he intends to place importance on strengthening relations with Beijing.
China is Cambodia's largest investor.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry held a regular press conference on Monday. It said Hun Manet will arrive in the country on September 14th. It added the visit is at the invitation of Premier Li Qiang.

The ministry also said President Xi Jinping will meet with the Cambodian prime minister during his stay.

Hun Manet announced his travel plans during a rally with workers. The event was held in southern Cambodia last Saturday.

The prime minister revealed he will attend the China-ASEAN Expo. The conference is scheduled to begin on Thursday in Nanning, the capital of Guangxi Province.

This will be Hun Manet's second overseas trip, since he took office in August. The ASEAN summit was his first.

The prime minister also plans to attend the Belt and Road summit in Beijing next month.

Hun Manet succeeded his father as prime minister. Hun Sen ruled the country for nearly four decades.

Cambodia apparently wants to show it will continue to place importance on strengthening ties with China, even though it has a new leader.