Phnom Penh, Cambodia – Cambodia and China have strengthened their strategic partnership with the successful conclusion of the Fourth Think Tank High-Level Forum in Phnom Penh. The forum, held at the Royal Academy of Cambodia (RAC), gathered over 100 scholars, policymakers, and senior officials from both countries. They explored key areas of cooperation, including trade, infrastructure, and regional stability.
The forum also confirmed that Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Cambodia next month for a state visit. This visit is expected to deepen political and economic ties under the China-Cambodia “Diamond Hexagon” cooperation framework.
Think Tank High-Level Forum Focuses on Strategic Cooperation
The Fourth Think Tank High-Level Forum provided a platform for experts and scholars to explore ways to strengthen Cambodia-China relations. Discussions focused on economic, political, and cultural collaboration.
Sok Touch, President of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, and Zhen Zhanmin, Vice-President of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), presided over the opening ceremony. Their presence reflected the strategic importance of the forum in shaping future policies and strengthening cooperation.
Held under the theme “Diamond Cooperation Framework: A New Chapter in the Cambodia-China Community with a Shared Future in the New Era,” the forum emphasized the need to convert strategic ideas into practical policies. This approach aims to promote stability and growth in both countries and across the region.
President Xi Jinping’s Upcoming Visit to Cambodia
During the forum, Khy Sovanratana, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, announced that Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Cambodia in April. His visit is expected to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties while advancing ongoing cooperation projects.
Sovanratana highlighted the long-standing relationship between Cambodia and China, which has been built on mutual trust and respect. He described the partnership as an “ironclad friendship” rooted in win-win cooperation and peaceful coexistence.
“China firmly supports Cambodia’s right to pursue its own development path and rejects any external interference in Cambodia’s internal affairs,” Sovanratana said.
This visit signals China’s ongoing commitment to respecting Cambodia’s sovereignty and supporting its national development goals. Moreover, both nations plan to enhance their collaboration within regional platforms such as ASEAN and the Lancang-Mekong framework.
Think Tank High-Level Forum Highlights Diamond Hexagon Cooperation
A major focus of the Think Tank High-Level Forum was the China-Cambodia “Diamond Hexagon” cooperation framework, introduced in 2023. This framework serves as the foundation for bilateral relations across six priority areas:
- Political cooperation
- Production capacity
- Agriculture
- Energy
- Security
- People-to-people exchanges
Kin Phea, Director General of the RAC’s International Relations Institute of Cambodia, highlighted how the Diamond Hexagon framework aligns with China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Cambodia’s Rectangular and Pentagonal Strategies. This alignment creates new opportunities for trade, investment, and infrastructure development.
Since its launch in 2019, the Think Tank High-Level Forum has played a key role in encouraging dialogue and guiding policy decisions between China and Cambodia. This year’s forum reinforced the importance of aligning strategic goals and enhancing practical cooperation to drive long-term stability and growth.
Political and Economic Trust at the Core of China-Cambodia Relations
Zhen Zhanmin underscored the strength of the China-Cambodia relationship. He highlighted decades of political and economic cooperation as the foundation of this partnership.
“Under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and Cambodian leaders, political trust continues to deepen. Both sides remain committed to building a high-quality, high-level, and high-standard China-Cambodia Community of Shared Future,” Zhen said.
Zhen also addressed the global challenges posed by unilateralism and protectionism. In response, he stressed that Cambodia and China should continue to promote multilateralism and open regionalism. Furthermore, he called for increased cooperation within ASEAN, the Lancang-Mekong framework, and the United Nations to support political stability and economic growth.
By reinforcing political trust and expanding economic ties, both nations aim to create a more balanced and stable regional environment.
Expanding Trade and Infrastructure Cooperation
The forum also emphasized strengthening trade and infrastructure ties between Cambodia and China. Sok Touch called for accelerating the construction of the Funan Techo Canal, a 180-kilometer-long project designed to improve Cambodia’s trade and transportation network.
The canal is 51% owned by Cambodian entities, with the remaining 49% funded by a Chinese state company. Once completed, the canal will reduce transportation costs and improve trade efficiency. This project will help position Cambodia as a key player in regional trade.
Touch highlighted that the project reflects the broader goal of strengthening economic ties under the Diamond Hexagon framework. Increased infrastructure cooperation is expected to drive economic growth and improve connectivity between Cambodia and other ASEAN countries.
Moreover, strengthening trade infrastructure will create new opportunities for investment and increase Cambodia’s export capacity.
Future Outlook for Cambodia-China Cooperation
The Fourth Think Tank High-Level Forum concluded with a renewed commitment from both countries to deepen political trust, expand economic cooperation, and strengthen cultural exchanges.
President Xi Jinping’s upcoming visit is expected to result in new agreements and initiatives that align China-Cambodia strategies under the Diamond Hexagon framework. Furthermore, both countries plan to enhance their collaboration on regional security, trade, and sustainable development.
As Cambodia and China continue to strengthen their partnership, the Think Tank High-Level Forum will remain a key platform for guiding policy decisions and promoting mutual understanding. The forum’s focus on practical cooperation and strategic alignment sets the stage for long-term political and economic stability in the region.
