People look at Chinese products at a booth during the China-ASEAN Expo-Cambodia exhibition in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on March 30, 2018. The China-ASEAN Expo-Cambodia exhibition kicked off here Friday, aiming to further promote trade and investment ties between Cambodia and China, organizers and officials said. (Xinhua/Phearum)

PHNOM PENH, March 30 (Xinhua) -- The China-ASEAN Expo-Cambodia exhibition kicked off here Friday, aiming to further promote trade and investment ties between Cambodia and China, organizers and officials said.

Held at the Diamond Island Exhibition Center, the 3-day event brought together some 290 companies displaying products and services in 440 booths.

Wang Lei, secretary-general of the China-ASEAN Expo Secretariat, said 2018 marked the 15th anniversaries of the China-ASEAN strategic partnership, and it was also the year that China and Cambodia celebrated the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.

"It is the very first time for the China-ASEAN Expo Secretariat to organize an exhibition in Cambodia, which aims to serve the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, and to strengthen practical cooperation between China and Cambodia," he said during the opening ceremony of the exhibition.

"It is the largest exhibition organized by the China-ASEAN Expo Secretariat in ASEAN countries," he added.

Apart from the exhibition, a series of business matching events would be held to help Chinese and Cambodian enterprises explore each other's markets, and particularly, to facilitate Cambodia to bring in more Chinese investment.

Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Xiong Bo said the exhibition, along with trade and investment forums, would give an opportunity to business people of the two countries to explore new opportunities for business and investment.

Cambodian Commerce Ministry Secretary of State Chhuon Dara highly spoke of the excellent ties between Cambodia and China in all fields, especially in trade, investment and tourism.

"The exhibition is vital for the two countries to further enhance trade and investment relations," he said in a speech during the opening ceremony.

Pung Kheav Se, chairman of the Khmer-Chinese Association in Cambodia, said the exhibition would greatly boost bilateral business cooperation between Cambodia and China.

"The Cambodian government led by Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen highly values Cambodia's cooperation with China in various areas," said Pung Kheav Se, who is also an economic advisor to the prime minister.