Fresh off a stop in Malaysia, Chinese President Xi Jinping landed in Phnom Penh this morning, greeted by Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and Senate President Hun Sen. The visit, capping a brief Southeast Asia tour, seeks to deepen ties as both countries face pressure to coordinate on regional challenges and the fallout from a U.S.-led trade war.
In a video posted on his social media channels, Prime Minister Hun Manet welcomed Xi with praise for China’s role in Cambodia’s development, calling the visit a sign of enduring ties. Xi last visited nearly a decade ago.
“Cambodia-China ties have reached the highest level – a comprehensive strategic partnership and ironclad friendship,” Manet said, adding that the partnership has boosted Cambodia’s independence, defense capabilities, and international standing.
Chinese support for Cambodia has drawn fresh attention in recent months, with development loans declining and Beijing’s commitment to major projects, including the stalled Funan Techo Canal, remaining uncertain. Despite media reports, the Cambodian government denies any issues with China’s support.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry said last week that many agreements will be signed during the two-day visit to deepen cooperation across various sectors, though specific details have still not been confirmed.
Xi is scheduled to have talks with the Cambodian King, Senate President Hun Sen, and the Prime Minister.
Writing in an open letter published by the local government-friendly outlet Fresh News, the Chinese leader outlined a range of bilateral goals for his visit, emphasizing the need to build a “China-Cambodia community with a shared future” and repel destabilizing forces in Asia.
“We must jointly oppose hegemony, power politics, and confrontation in order to safeguard the common interests of both countries and the broader developing world,” he stated, without directly referencing the U.S., which recently paused its 49% tariff on Cambodian goods – second only to China’s, now well over three digits.
Xi also urged stronger cooperation on supply chains, aligning regional development goals, tackling cybercrime, and preventing “color revolutions” through enhanced security cooperation.
Cambodia, like several neighbors, has become a hub for cyber scam operations largely run by Chinese crime syndicates. Beijing has ramped up pressure on Phnom Penh to act, including at a multilateral meeting earlier this year and after a major Thai-led sting on scam centers in Myanmar. Cambodia has pledged to crack down, but experts say enforcement has fallen short. At the same time, the government continues to invoke “color revolution” threats to justify arrests of critics and curb dissent.
While leaders are expected to discuss security, trade is likely to dominate talks, especially as expanding tariffs threaten regional supply chains.
In the first quarter of 2025, bilateral trade between China and Cambodia topped $4 billion – up 26% from the same period last year. But Cambodia recorded a trade deficit of more than 91%, with exports to China falling 4.9% to $348.2 million, while imports surged 30.8% to $3.72 billion.
Xi’s first scheduled meeting is with the royal family. His visit to Cambodia and broader Southeast Asia tour are set to wrap up April 18.
