Senate President Hun Sen Departs for Official Friendship Visit to China
PHNOM PENH — Cambodian Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen departed Phnom Penh on Thursday morning, June 25, 2026. Specifically, he is leading a high-level delegation for an official friendship visit to China running until June 27.
The Communist Party of China (CPC) extended the official invitation for this high-profile trip. A delegation of senior Cambodian leaders accompanies Hun Sen on the mission. This group includes Tea Banh, Supreme Advisor to the King and Vice-President of the CPP. Top officials from the Senate, National Assembly, and the royal government also joined the flight.
High-Level Bilateral Talks Scheduled with President Xi Jinping
During the three-day state visit, Mr. Hun Sen will hold crucial bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Xi currently serves as General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee.
Additionally, the Senate President will hold separate working meetings with other top Chinese authorities. For instance, he will sit down with Chinese Premier Li Qiang. He also plans to meet Zhao Leji, the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.
Meanwhile, during his stay in Beijing, Mr. Hun Sen will request a royal audience with King Norodom Sihamoni. The King and the Queen Mother are currently staying in the Chinese capital. The King is recovering well after undergoing cancer surgery.
Elevating an Ironclad Friendship in a New Era
An official Senate statement notes that this visit underscores the unwavering commitment of both nations. Both sides want to further strengthen their ironclad friendship. Furthermore, the diplomatic mission aims to deepen cooperation under their comprehensive strategic partnership. Ultimately, both governments seek to advance an all-weather Cambodia-China community with a shared future.
Political analyst Chhot Bunthang labeled the visit highly significant amid ongoing global uncertainty. Because of this, Cambodia is actively looking to expand and stabilize its bilateral and multilateral diplomatic relations.
Consequently, maintaining these strong ties delivers greater long-term mutual benefits. Despite occasional modern regional challenges, the analyst emphasized that the relationship remains exceptionally resilient. Century-old historical, cultural, and diplomatic ties strongly anchor the partnership today.
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