During the state visit of President Xi Jinping to Cambodia from April 17 to 18, 2025, the Kingdom of Cambodia and the People’s Republic of China released a comprehensive joint statement reinforcing their shared commitment to building an all-weather strategic partnership.
This landmark visit included royal audiences with His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, meetings with Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen, and high-level discussions with Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet.
Both sides reaffirmed their status as “iron-clad friends,” emphasising mutual trust, deep historical ties, and strategic cooperation grounded in equality and win-win principles. This long-standing friendship, rooted in the legacies of King Father Norodom Sihanouk and Chinese leaders, continues to evolve into a high-level, high-quality partnership aimed at benefiting both nations and contributing to global peace and development.
Key Agreements and Initiatives:
- Cambodia-China Community with a Shared Future in the New Era
The two countries will expedite the creation of a high-standard, all-weather partnership guided by the Cambodia-China Intergovernmental Coordination Committee. This includes:- Implementing the Action Plan on Building a Shared Future
- Enhancing mutual political trust
- Expanding practical cooperation and people-to-people exchanges
- Strengthening multilateral and regional coordination
- Diamond Cooperation Framework with Six Priority Areas
Cambodia and China will deepen collaboration across key sectors:- Industrial and Technological Corridor
- Fish and Rice Corridor
- Infrastructure, logistics, and clean energy
- Digital economy and innovation
- Law enforcement and national security
- People-to-people and cultural exchanges
- Support for Global Development, Security, and Civilization Initiatives
Cambodia expressed strong support for China’s Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI), and Global Civilization Initiative (GCI). These align with both nations’ aspirations for peace, justice, sustainable development, and mutual respect in global affairs. - Multilateral Commitments and Global Governance
The joint statement underlines both countries’ opposition to unilateralism and hegemony, while promoting a multipolar, inclusive international order rooted in the United Nations Charter. The two nations reiterated their shared stance on:- Upholding international law
- Advancing the reform of the World Trade Organization (WTO)
- Promoting peace and development through ASEAN, Belt and Road, and Mekong-Lancang cooperation mechanisms
- Infrastructure and Trade Acceleration
Priority areas include:- Advancing the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone
- Accelerating the Funan Techo Canal Project
- Enhancing the Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement and ASEAN-China cooperation
- Supporting the use of local currencies and digital payment systems for bilateral trade
- Humanitarian and Environmental Cooperation
Joint efforts will focus on:- Mine clearance by 2030 with Chinese assistance
- Climate change mitigation via the Cambodia-China Low-Carbon Demonstration Zone in Preah Sihanouk
- Natural disaster preparedness under the Belt and Road Risk Reduction Framework
- People-to-People and Cultural Diplomacy
Cultural and educational exchanges will be enhanced through:- Confucius Institute collaborations
- Student and language training programmes
- The Cambodia-China Year of Tourism (2025)
- Support for art festivals, traditional medicine, and heritage preservation including Angkor and Preah Vihear restoration
- Commitment to Regional Peace and Sovereignty
Both sides reaffirmed the principles of peaceful coexistence and opposed interference in internal affairs. Cambodia reiterated its support for the One-China Policy, while China reaffirmed support for Cambodia’s independence, sovereignty, and developmental path.
