On October 18, 2012, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen met with visiting Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo in Phnom Penh. Both sides held cordial and friendly talks.

Hun Sen thanked for China's meticulous arrangements in the wake of the death of King-Father Norodom Sihanouk. He also thanked China for sending State Councilor Dai Bingguo to escort the coffin of Norodom Sihanouk back home. "China's care for King-Father Sihanouk during the past years has erected a monument of Cambodia-China friendship in the hearts of the Cambodian people," he said. Cambodia "will firmly adhere to a friendly policy toward China and push the comprehensive partnership of strategic cooperation between the two countries up to a new high along with China." He also told Dai that Cambodia attaches importance to cooperation with China on regional and multilateral affairs. Cambodia will host a series of meetings of East Asian leaders next month. "Cambodia is willing to work closely with China for the success of the meetings," he said.

Dai again expressed condolences and sympathy over the death of King-Father Sihanouk, commending the late king as "a great friend of the Chinese people." He said, at this moment of sorrow, the Chinese people will firmly stand side by side with the Cambodian people and believe that the Cambodian people can build up a better country by inheriting King-Father Sihanouk's will. He also spoke highly of the mutual trust, mutual support and earnest assistance between the two countries. China is willing to continue to work together with the Cambodian side, inherit and carry forward the China-Cambodia friendship forged and cultivated by generations of Chinese leaders and Sihanouk and continuously push forward the Sino-Cambodian relations. China supports Cambodia in hosting the East Asian leaders' meetings next month and will work together with Cambodia to make sure that the meetings, featuring solidarity, cooperation and development, will promote regional peace, stability and prosperity, he said.

On the same day, Dai also met with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Nam Hong and exchanged views with him on furthering bilateral ties as well as regional issues of mutual interest.