This photo taken on May 21, 2023 shows the entrance of the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) in Sihanoukville, Cambodia. (Photo by Ly Lay/Xinhua)
According to official reports from Cambodia, China was the country's largest investor and trading partner in 2024. Additionally, China ranked as the third-largest source of foreign tourists to Cambodia, significantly contributing to the country's socio-economic growth and the development of its tourism sector.
by Seun Sam
The year 2025 is expected to be a year of even brighter prospects for Cambodia-China relations, following their fruitful cooperation achievements in 2024.
The bilateral relationship is grounded in mutual trust, respect and a commitment to equal treatment, which has laid a solid foundation for their ties to grow stronger and closer each year. As a result, their partnership is now "rock-solid and unbreakable."
Among its global partners, China has been treated as Cambodia's most trusted partner, providing unwavering support across nearly all fields to Cambodia.
In 2024, this strong partnership yielded tangible results as the two countries expanded cooperation in key areas such as investment, trade, tourism and culture.
Agreements like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement have strengthened trade and investment ties, driving growth in both economies.
According to official reports from Cambodia, China was the country's largest investor and trading partner in 2024. Additionally, China ranked as the third-largest source of foreign tourists to Cambodia, significantly contributing to the country's socio-economic growth and the development of its tourism sector.
The Cambodia-China "Diamond Hexagon" cooperation framework, the Industrial Development Corridor, the "Fish and Rice Corridor" and the Cambodia-China People-to-People Exchange Year 2024 have all played a key role in advancing Cambodia's development in sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, energy, food security, tourism and culture.
On top of these, China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has provided invaluable resources for Cambodia's growth. Flagship projects under the BRI, including the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone, the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway and the Siem Reap Angkor International Airport, have delivered tangible benefits. The Siem Reap Angkor International Airport, for instance, has boosted Cambodia's connection to the global tourism market and enhanced access to the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Park, drawing more international visitors.
Looking ahead to 2025, I am confident that Cambodia-China relations will continue to strengthen. Both countries have designated 2025 as the "Cambodia-China Year of Tourism," emphasizing their deepening cultural and economic ties.
An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 25, 2024 shows a section of the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway in Kampong Speu province, Cambodia. (Cambodian PPSHV Expressway Co., Ltd./Handout via Xinhua)
Moreover, the Techo International Airport in southern Kandal province, being built by a Chinese company, is expected to begin commercial operations in 2025, marking another milestone in Cambodia's civil aviation sector.
China's ongoing support remains vital to Cambodia's socio-economic development and poverty reduction, having already created hundreds of thousands of local jobs. As these ties deepen, Cambodia and China are on track to build a high-quality, high-level and high-standard Cambodia-China community with a shared future.
In conclusion, the closer relationship between Cambodia and China not only brings substantial benefits to both countries but also contributes positively to regional peace, security, stability and development. The future of this partnership looks undoubtedly promising.
Editor's note: Seun Sam is a policy analyst at the Royal Academy of Cambodia.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Xinhua News Agency.
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