Chinese Premier Li Qiang announced enhanced economic collaboration with Cambodia during a high-level meeting with Prime Minister Hun Manet in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, signaling deeper regional integration ahead of the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit.
Li emphasized China's commitment to expanding trade and investment with Cambodia, particularly in infrastructure, digital innovation, advanced manufacturing, and clean energy. 'We aim to create a more open and efficient economic environment that benefits both nations,' he stated, highlighting plans to streamline cross-border trade processes.
The leaders also discussed strengthened security cooperation, building on recent successes in combating transnational crime. Li called for 'more robust measures' to protect citizens from emerging cross-border threats, reflecting growing concerns about regional stability.
This meeting precedes the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit, where leaders from 26 countries and regions are expected to address supply chain resilience and sustainable development. Analysts suggest the China-Cambodia partnership could serve as a model for South-South cooperation in Asia's evolving economic landscape.
Cambodia remains one of China's key partners in Southeast Asia, with bilateral trade reaching $12.2 billion in 2023. The new cooperation framework aligns with China's broader Belt and Road Initiative priorities while addressing Cambodia's infrastructure modernization needs.
