LOOK: Arrival ceremony for President Duterte at the Royal Palace | via @willardcheng pic.twitter.com/HyefUNNXds

— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) December 14, 2016

PHNOM PENH - The highest officials of Cambodia on Wednesday gave a grand arrival ceremony for President Rodrigo Duterte at the Throne Hall of the Royal Palace.

Duterte and Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni walked side-by-side on the red carpet while a military band played.

TINGNAN: Pangulong Duterte, dumating na sa Royal Palace sa Cambodia pic.twitter.com/fD35kxlFua

— DZMM TeleRadyo (@DZMMTeleRadyo) December 14, 2016

President Duterte with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni in arrival ceremony at the Royal Palace | via @willardcheng pic.twitter.com/V164dAg4F4

— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) December 14, 2016

The visiting president shook hands with top Cambodian officials before introducing members of his own party to the King.

Cabinet secretaries await President Duterte's arrival at the Royal Palace in Cambodia (pool photo) | via @willardcheng pic.twitter.com/dAtnRnTT36

— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) December 14, 2016

Duterte also attended a wreath laying ceremony at the Independence Monument, and at the monument of King Norodom Sihanouk, known as the Father of Cambodia.

President Duterte arrives at Cambodia's Independence Monument for a wreath laying ceremony | via @willardcheng pic.twitter.com/KKtMgCIfsj

— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) December 14, 2016

President Duterte offers wreath at Cambodia's Independence Monument | via @willardcheng pic.twitter.com/iHfGEqwJQd

— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) December 14, 2016

Duterte's state visit is the first "standalone" bilateral visit of a Philippine president in 20 years.

Philippine Ambassador to Cambodia Christopher Montero earlier said
Prime Minister Hun Sen personally admires President Duterte for "standing up" against the West in calling for noninterference in state affairs. Cambodia is a known close ally of China.

"Prime Minister Hun Sen has deep admiration for President Duterte. He has expressed it publicly in the past. He sees in him an ally in terms of standing up against Western countries insofar as noninterference in internal affairs of state is concerned," Montero told reporters.

"The fact that it was elevated to a state visit only shows, demonstrates, that Cambodia attaches great value to its bilateral relations with the Philippines in spite of certain differences in our approach to the South China Sea issue. But again, the South China Sea issue is not the defining issue in terms of our bilateral relations are concerned."

Montero expects a "lively discussion" between Duterte and Prime Minister Hun Sen on that subject when the two leaders meet on Wednesday afternoon.

At least two agreements, on sports and tourism cooperation are expected to be signed. Agreements concerning cooperation on transnational crime and labor are still being finalized.

• Duterte's Cambodia visit elevated to state visit