As he begins his state visit to Cambodia today—coinciding with the joyous celebrations of the Khmer New Year—H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, has conveyed a heartfelt message to the Cambodian people. He described the visit as “going to the home of a good friend,” reaffirming the historical depth, enduring trust, and future potential of the China-Cambodia relationship.
President Xi opened with the message:
“I am very happy to visit Cambodia on the occasion of the Khmer New Year. For me, it feels like going to the home of a good friend. I wish to extend my warmest New Year greetings to our brothers and sisters in Cambodia. This is my second visit to your country in nine years. I sincerely hope this visit will spearhead progress in building a China-Cambodia community with a shared future.”
A Friendship Anchored in History
President Xi highlighted how China and Cambodia share more than two millennia of friendly exchanges. During the Tang Dynasty, Cambodian royalty were received in China as honoured guests, and vibrant maritime trade thrived. Bayon Temple’s bas-reliefs testify to these exchanges, while Zhou Daguan’s The Customs of Cambodia remains a vital record of Khmer civilisation. Cambodian monks also played a key role in Buddhist cultural exchange between the two countries.
Forged in Brotherhood and Loyalty
He paid tribute to the foundational relationship established by His Majesty Norodom Sihanouk and Chairman Mao Zedong, as well as Premier Zhou Enlai. Their meeting at the Bandung Conference in 1955 laid the groundwork for formal ties in 1958. Through war, peace, and political change, China has stood with Cambodia—supporting its sovereignty and development. Xi praised the Royal Family’s enduring bond with China and acknowledged former Prime Minister Hun Sen’s solidarity during the early days of COVID-19. Mutual assistance during the pandemic reaffirmed the nations’ ironclad friendship.
Development Through Cooperation
President Xi celebrated China’s role as Cambodia’s largest trade partner and investor. Projects such as the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway, the Morodok Techo Stadium, and the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone have transformed Cambodia’s infrastructure and economic landscape. Under the China-Cambodia Free Trade Agreement, Cambodian products like mango, banana, and longan now reach millions of Chinese households. Technological collaboration and agricultural planning have strengthened Cambodia’s path to modernisation.
Cultural Bridges and Shared Prosperity
Beyond trade and development, Xi emphasised cultural cooperation. Chinese experts have helped restore ancient Khmer temples, and traditional Chinese medicine has brought life-changing care to rural communities. More Cambodian students are studying Chinese language and culture, while Chinese tourists flock to explore Angkor Wat. Projects like the Friendship Poverty Alleviation Village and clean water initiatives are improving lives in tangible ways.
Asia’s Moment for Unity and Growth
Xi positioned the China-Cambodia relationship within the broader context of Asia’s rising role in global affairs. As the region faces rapid transformation, he called for solidarity, inclusive growth, and regional peace. He outlined China’s continued commitment to fostering “amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness” with its neighbours.
Five Key Areas for Future Collaboration
To elevate the partnership, President Xi proposed five major pillars of cooperation:
- Deepening Political Trust
Maintain high-level exchanges, strengthen mutual support on sovereignty and national defence, and reject foreign interference in domestic affairs. - Enhancing Economic Integration
Align the Belt and Road Initiative with Cambodia’s Pentagonal Strategy, and boost cooperation in green energy, manufacturing, digital economy, and agriculture through the Industrial and Technological Corridor and the Fish and Rice Corridor. - Strengthening Joint Security
Combat external threats like “color revolutions” and cyber fraud. Enhance coordination on Belt and Road project security, emergency response, and law enforcement. - Promoting People-to-People Connectivity
Expand cooperation in youth exchange, education, tourism, and cultural heritage. Reinforce shared values and human connections through inclusive dialogues and community-based projects. - Improving Strategic Coordination
Uphold the Bandung Spirit and Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. Advance regional integration through platforms like the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation. Champion multipolar global governance and oppose protectionism and hegemonism.
An Enduring Friendship for a Changing World
President Xi concluded with a powerful reminder of the resilience and integrity of the China-Cambodia relationship:
“As a Chinese verse goes, ‘True friendship, like refined gold, withstands all tests of time.’ I firmly believe that with our joint efforts, the China-Cambodia ironclad friendship, which has been tempered through trials of time and storms of adversity, will stay true to its original purpose. China will work with Cambodia to safeguard peace, pursue development and achieve shared prosperity, to make solid progress in building the China-Cambodia community with a shared future in the new era, and to bring greater stability and certainty to this turbulent world.”
This visit by President Xi Jinping marks not only a symbolic reaffirmation of a long-standing friendship, but also a strategic roadmap for an even deeper partnership—one that stands resilient, ambitious, and committed to shared progress in a rapidly changing world.
