Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with the leaders from Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member nations in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, who will attend the 8th China-ASEAN Expo scheduled to open Friday morning.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen was the first guest Wen met with on Thursday afternoon. Wen said at the beginning of the meeting that the prime minister's regular attendance at the expo showed the high importance Cambodia placed on strengthening both China-ASEAN cooperation as well as China-Cambodia friendship.

Wen said it is in the common interests of the two peoples to continue to strengthen bilateral friendship and cooperation. It will also promote ties between China and ASEAN, which will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of a dialogue relationship this year.

Wen said he will focus on the development of China-Cambodia relations and East Asian cooperation during the meeting.

Hun Sen said attending the expo will further consolidate Cambodia's comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation with China.

Wen will meet with Lao Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Thai Deputy Prime Minister Kittirat Naranong and Vice President of Myanmar U Tin Aung Myint Oo, respectively, later Thursday afternoon.

The premier will meet ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan, and will attend the opening ceremony of the expo as well as the 8th China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit on Friday morning.