PHNOM PENH, May 6 (Xinhua) -- The Cambodia China Journalist Association (CCJA) was formally launched here on Monday with the aim of promoting media exchange and relations between Cambodia and China.

Cambodian Information Minister Khieu Kanharith said the Ministry of Information fully supported the CCJA and was confident that it would play an important role in promoting relations and cooperation between the two countries.

"This is a new achievement resulting from the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation between Cambodia and China," he said in a speech during the CCJA launching ceremony.

"I hope that the association will serve as a bridge to connect the peoples between the two countries," he added.

Cambodian government Spokesman Phay Siphan congratulated the establishment of the CCJA, saying that the media has served as a mirror to reflect realities in the society and has importantly provided inputs to the government.

He added that journalists have also played an important role in contributing to the maintenance of peace, stability and sustainable development.

"I strongly hope that this association will contribute to the free flow of information, ethical codes, professionalism, and objectivity in order to contribute to the development of all relations between Cambodia and China," he said at the event.

He was also confident that the CCJA would help the public to better understand the value of cooperation between the two countries in diplomacy, economics, culture, and other fields for mutual benefit.

Zuo Wenxing, political counselor of the Chinese embassy to Cambodia, expressed her confidence that the CCJA would work actively to promote media exchange and relations between China and Cambodia.

"I hope that the association will play an important role in promoting positive news about our two countries and will join hands to fight against fake news that causes negative impact on the relations between our two countries," she said.

CCJA's Co-President Soy Sopheap said the association was established by a group of Cambodian and Chinese veteran journalists with the aim of promoting friendship and cooperation between the two countries.