Hun Manet and Xi Jinping reaffirm their firm commitment to strengthening the Sino-Cambodian partnership
- Eco News
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet met with Chinese President Xi Jinping last Saturday in Tianjin, China, as part of the expanded cooperation between the two nations. The meeting, held on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, marks a crucial step in strengthening political, economic and cultural ties between Phnom Penh and Beijing, based on a long history of friendship and strategic partnership.
The two leaders expressed their shared desire to build an ‘unbreakable China-Cambodia community’, a relationship described by Xi Jinping as an ‘all-weather ally’, emphasising the importance of deepening cooperation in areas essential to Cambodia's sustainable development. With this in mind, 2025 has been proclaimed the ‘Year of Sino-Cambodian Tourism’, a symbolic project aimed at intensifying human and cultural exchanges, while significantly boosting Cambodia's tourism sector.
Gratitude
Hun Manet expressed his gratitude to China for its active role in maintaining regional peace, particularly in supporting a rapid ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand, a concrete example of Beijing's contribution to regional stability. He also stressed the importance of collaboration against transnational crime, including the joint fight against telecom fraud and illegal online gambling, which threaten economic and social security.
On the economic front, discussions focused on continued Chinese investment in Cambodia, particularly in industrial and technological development corridors, as well as in key infrastructure such as energy, transport and agriculture. Special economic zones such as Sihanoukville continue to attract more than 200 international companies, contributing to the creation of thousands of local jobs.
The Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville motorway also illustrates the rapid progress of improved connectivity, significantly reducing travel times and facilitating domestic trade.
In addition, educational exchanges play a central role through government scholarships designed to promote cooperation between the youth of both countries. Hun Manet encouraged this new generation to play an active role in strengthening bilateral relations, thus ensuring the sustainability of this strategic friendship.
Agreements
The signing of more than 30 bilateral cooperation agreements in various sectors, such as artificial intelligence, health and supply chains, testifies to the strength of this multifaceted partnership. These commitments illustrate the willingness of both parties to join forces to overcome global geopolitical challenges and ensure a shared prosperous future.
Analysts describe this Sino-Cambodian alliance as an exemplary model of South-South cooperation, rooted in mutual political trust and a shared vision of development and regional peace. They anticipate that this strengthened partnership will not only bring stability and prosperity to Cambodia, but also serve as a lever for sustainable economic and social dynamics at the regional level.
This renewed commitment between Hun Manet and Xi Jinping highlights Phnom Penh's strategic importance in Chinese regional policy, as well as China's growing role as a key partner in Cambodia's development. The year 2025 therefore promises to be a pivotal milestone in Sino-Cambodian rapprochement, bringing together diplomacy, trade, culture and technological cooperation.