Cambodia’s Foreign Ministry on Friday confirmed Chinese President Xi Jinping will make a state visit April 17-18, ending days of public buzz and scant official word on the trip.

Xi, whose last state visit to Cambodia was in 2016, is set to meet the Royal family, Prime Minister Hun Manet and his father, longtime prime minister and current Senate president Hun Sen, to discuss strengthening ties and “international issues of common interest,” according to the statement.

The ministry also vaguely noted that “many documents” would be signed to boost cooperation across sectors, though the Chinese leader’s full agenda in Cambodia remains unclear.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Chum Sounry said via Telegram that a press release detailing the outcomes of the visit would be issued afterward, but declined to comment further. Government spokesperson Pen Bona did not respond to requests for comment.

The visit is part of a broader Southeast Asia tour next week that includes Vietnam and Malaysia, marking Xi’s first foreign trip of the year. It comes amidst an escalating trade war between Beijing and Washington after the Trump administration unleashed its global “reciprocal” tariff policy earlier this month. Cambodia was granted a limited reprieve Wednesday on planned reciprocal tariffs targeting its exports to the U.S. market.

The visit also follows the inauguration of the Ream naval base, which has sparked international concern over its potential use as a de facto Chinese military outpost. 

While agenda items remain unclear, growing concern over China’s ambiguous commitments to major development projects in Cambodia, including the flagship Funan Techo Canal, are likely to factor into discussions.

(Additional reporting by Khy Sovuthy)