Cambodia’s Hun Sen receives support pledges on Beijing visit

BEIJING (AP) — Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has received pledges of economic and political support during a meeting in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The meeting Friday comes in the middle of Hun Sen’s three-day visit. Cambodia is a key Chinese diplomatic partner, helping dampen criticism of Beijing within the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Hun Sen took power in 1998 and with strong Chinese backing has eliminated all democratic threats to his rule and muzzled the press. In return, China has gained an outsized role in Cambodian politics and the economy. In June, China and Cambodia broke ground on a naval port expansion project. Hun Sen is also due to meet with outgoing Premier Li Keqiang.