Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Cambodian Senate President and Cambodian People’s Party leader Hun Sen in Phnom Penh on Thursday, reinforcing long-standing diplomatic and economic ties between the two nations. The high-level dialogue focused on deepening cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and enhancing regional stability.
Xi praised Cambodia’s role as a \"trusted partner\" in Southeast Asia, emphasizing shared goals in infrastructure development and trade. Hun Sen acknowledged China’s support for Cambodia’s economic modernization, noting a 12% year-on-year increase in bilateral trade during the first half of 2024.
The leaders also discussed cross-border agricultural projects and digital economy partnerships, key areas for investors eyeing ASEAN-China supply chain integration. Cultural exchanges, including new tourism initiatives and educational scholarships, were highlighted as tools to strengthen people-to-people connections.
This meeting follows recent upgrades to the China-Cambodia Free Trade Agreement, which now covers 95% of traded goods. Analysts suggest the talks signal Beijing’s commitment to fostering multilateral engagement in Southeast Asia amid shifting global economic dynamics.
