Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong wrapped up a state visit to Phnom Penh on Wednesday after meeting his Cambodian counterpart and reaffirming bilateral ties in energy, trade and other key areas.
The visit came as Cambodia’s border rift with Thailand continues, with Wong urging calm and resolution.
The trip marked 60 years of Cambodia-Singapore diplomatic ties and included meetings with Prime Minister Hun Manet, his father and former premier Hun Sen – who handed over power in 2023 – and King Norodom Sihamoni.
Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the leaders agreed to deepen cooperation across sectors including trade, investment, renewable energy, carbon credits, agri-food, and human capital development, as well as regional power integration.
Wong also highlighted a joint project with Cambodia’s Royal Group Power to import “low-carbon electricity” to Singapore, calling it a “key building block” toward a future ASEAN power grid.
Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it plans to strengthen defense and security cooperation with Singapore, including tackling transnational crimes such as cybercrime and money laundering, with a memorandum of understanding expected to be signed. Analysts have identified scam networks as a major problem in Cambodia, as well as across the wider region, affecting victim economies worldwide.
Amid rising tensions between Cambodia and Thailand, Wong called for restraint and pressed both sides to seek a peaceful settlement through dialogue.
“I highlighted the need for both sides to exercise restraint and de-escalate the situation, and continue with dialogue to resolve the matter amicably, in accordance with international law,” he said. “In today’s uncertain global environment, ASEAN countries cannot afford to let disputes divide us.”
During their meeting, Senate President Hun Sen briefed Wong on Cambodia’s view of the border dispute, which follows a deadly clash in May in the Emerald Triangle area, where Cambodia, Thailand and Laos share a border.
Hun Sen, who ruled Cambodia for nearly four decades, said the country had no desire for conflict and backed calls for a peaceful resolution in line with international law.
Tensions between Cambodia and Thailand remain unresolved, with all land border crossings closed, limited exemptions in place, and trade largely suspended.
A major flashpoint has been political turmoil in Thailand after Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended by the courts on Monday, pending an ethics probe into a leaked phone call with Hun Sen, which he posted on Facebook earlier this month.
Amid global market uncertainty and a new Thai fuel embargo – Cambodia’s top import – Singapore and Cambodia also pledged to boost bilateral and regional trade.
Cambodia’s trade with Singapore reached $901 million in 2024, according to the General Department of Customs and Excise. From January to May this year, it totaled $314 million, down from $393 million in the same period last year.
“I am confident that with Prime Minister Manet’s support and leadership, we will continue to deepen our bilateral partnership, expand cooperation and deliver meaningful benefits for both our peoples,” Wong said.
