Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Phnom Penh on Thursday for a two-day state visit, marking the final leg of his Southeast Asian tour aimed at reinforcing China’s regional influence. Greeted at the airport by Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, Xi’s visit underscores the deep ties between China and Cambodia, often described as an “ironclad friendship.”
Prime Minister Hun Manet, who succeeded his father Hun Sen in 2023, has called China an “indispensable friend” for its role in Cambodia’s economic and social development.
During Xi’s visit, he is scheduled to meet Hun Manet and Senate President Hun Sen, with trade and regional cooperation high on the agenda. Several agreements are expected to be signed, potentially expanding the “diamond hexagon” cooperation framework, which focuses on political, economic, and cultural ties.
Xi’s broader Southeast Asian tour, including stops in Vietnam and Malaysia, reflects China’s strategy to counter U.S. trade pressures and position itself as a stable regional partner. In Cambodia, this approach aligns with Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative, which has funded major projects like roads and airports.
