US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrived in Cambodia this morning for his first official visit to Cambodia.

The Cambodian Ministry of National Defence announced on social media that Dam Dariny, the Ministry’s Secretary of State, welcomed Austin on June 4.

The press release stated Austin will meet separately with several senior Cambodian leaders during his one-day visit, including former Prime Minister and current Senate President Hun Sen, Prime Minister Hun Manet and Tea Seiha, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence.

It said the meetings aim to further strengthen and expand the ‘good cooperation’ between Cambodia and the US, which has existed for more than 70 years, especially by promoting the implementation of cooperation between the two governments.

“Austin’s official visit will reaffirm the long-standing friendship and underscore the commitment of the US Department of Defense and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces to working together as key partners to deepen defence cooperation for the maintenance of peace, stability and sustainable development of the two countries, as well as for the region as a whole,” the press release said.