Special report: 2008 Olympic Games

Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni (L) and his mother Monineath gesture as they board on a plane at the Phnom Penh International Airport, Cambodia, Aug. 1, 2008. Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, together with his parents, retired king Norodom Sihanouk and his wife Monineath Sihanouk, left for Beijing on Friday for the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games. (Xinhua/Xia Lin)  Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, along with the former King Norodom Sihanouk and the former Queen Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, arrived in Beijing on Friday afternoon for the Olympic Games.

    The Cambodian guests were greeted by Zhang Mao, vice minister of National Development and Reform Commission, and officials from Royal Embassy of Cambodia as the plane landed at 2:50 p.m. at Beijing Capital International Airport.

    "You are old friends of the Chinese people," said Zhang, shaking hands with the Cambodian guests.

    Three Cambodian girls in national costume presented flowers to King Sihamoni, the former King Sihanouk and former Queen Monineath.

    Colonel Chhim Sarom, Defense Counselor in the Cambodian Embassy, told Xinhua that the agenda of the King during their stay in China is as yet unknown.

    China and Cambodia have maintained mutual friendship and cooperation since the two countries established diplomatic relations on July 19, 1958.

    Cambodia will send a 14-member delegation to participate in the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games, including the Cambodian National Olympic Committee President Thong Khon. They will depart for Beijing on Aug. 6 and Aug. 7.

Cambodian retired king Norodom Sihanouk (L) gestures as he boards on a plane at the Phnom Penh International Airport, Cambodia, Aug. 1, 2008. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>