Wang Yi, China’s Foreign Minister, Visits Cambodia to Strengthen Bilateral Ties and Promote Cooperation

Wang Yi, China’s Foreign Minister, arrived in the kingdom on Sunday for a visit that ends on April 26. He will meet with the king, the prime minister and other Cambodian officials “with the aim of strengthening bilateral ties.”

Wang Yi will have the honor of meeting His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni and will pay a courtesy call on His Excellency Hun Sen, the President of the Senate, and Prime Minister Hun Manet.

Wang Yi will be chaired by HE Sun Chanthol, First Vice-Chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, the seventh Cambodia-China intergovernmental coordination committee.

In addition, he will meet HE Sok Chenda Sophea, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, to explore opportunities to strengthen bilateral ties in a range of areas.

“This visit will help establish a “Diamond” cooperation framework, promote cooperation on regional and global platforms and promote the development of a community with a common culture,” the ministry’s press release said.

According to Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this trip is part of a tour that will also see him visit Indonesia and Papua New Guinea (PNG).

“China has been working with these countries to build the China-Indonesia community and the China-Cambodia community with a common future, and work with PNG to promote the comprehensive strategic partnership and to deepen Belt and Road cooperation,” said the spokesman. Adding: “Through this visit, China hopes that the important agreements reached between President Xi Jinping and the leaders of the three countries to implement, by conducting active cooperation on the Belt and Road and giving new impetus to the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and friendly countries.We strive for bilateral relations China with these three countries to a higher level. China is ready to work with other countries in the region to promote solidarity and cooperation, maintain peace, and contribute to peace, stability and regional and global development.”

During the sixth meeting of the China-Cambodia intergovernmental coordination committee in August 2023, Mr. Wang met with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong and Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol when he arrived in Phnom Penh.

As a comprehensive strategic partner for cooperation in building the China-Cambodia community, China says it “strongly supports Cambodia in pursuing a development path suitable for its national conditions, protecting sovereignty, “national independence and dignity, and in the additional role it has in regional and international affairs”, he said, specifying:

“China looks forward to working with Cambodia to follow the strategic guidance of President Xi and the Cambodian PM, fully playing the coordinating role of the Intergovernmental Coordination Committee, to to deepen the construction of the China-Cambodia community, and to live up to the confidence of the two leaders and the expectations of the two peoples. China will continue to support Cambodia in developing its infrastructure, developing its industry and promoting growth and prosperity.”