Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday lauded outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Pan Guangxue for his strong commitment to further enhance bilateral relations and cooperation between Cambodia and China.

"Ambassador Pan has played a very important role to further promote Cambodia-China relations and cooperation," the premier said during the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a China-funded road in western Kampong Speu province, which was attended by about 10,000 Cambodian people.

"In more than three years of your diplomatic term in Cambodia, the relationship between Cambodia and China have moved from the relationship of good neighbors, good friends and good partners to the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation," Hun Sen said. "This is the highest level of relationship between two countries."

He added that during the term of Ambassador Pan in Cambodia, about 16 roads and bridges under Chinese concessional loans had been either started to construct or inaugurated.

Meanwhile, the premier pinned the government's honorable medal decoration to Pan to express Cambodia's gratitude to him for his strong efforts in developing closer ties between Cambodia and China and in supporting Cambodia in development and poverty reduction.