Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen. Tea Banh on Saturday left for Beijing for an unofficial visit to further enhance bilateral ties and cooperation.

"My visit is to discuss some tasks with the Chinese counterpart in order to further promote military relations and cooperation," he told reporters at the capital's airport before departure.

"We need some help from the Chinese friend in order to develop capacity for Cambodian armed forces."

Cambodia and China have constantly maintained and further developed military ties through the visit exchange of both sides' senior military officials and China's assistance for military human resources development.

China has helped Cambodia since 2002 to build the Infantry Institute in Kampong Speu province, about 90 kilometers west of capital Phnom Penh. Earlier this year, some 160 Cambodian military students had completed training courses in China.