Steadfast China-Cambodia alliance consistently delivers outcomes

Article Rewrite:

Title: Xi's visit to Cambodia: A look at key areas and expectations

Editor's Note:

What's the lowdown on Xi Jinping's trip to Cambodia? What topics and areas are on the agenda for discussion? How are these high-level interactions expected to boost bilateral relations? Let's dive in!

Photo Credit: VCG

During Xi Jinping's April 2025 visit, the emphasis was on strengthening bilateral relations under the "Diamond Hexagon" framework, focusing on six priority areas: political trust, production capacity, agribusiness, energy, security, and people-to-people exchanges. Some significant topics up for discussion during the talks included:

Political mutual trust – Reinforcing Cambodia's status as a valuable strategic partner.
Mutually beneficial cooperation – Enhancing infrastructure, trade, and technology transfers to unlock new opportunities.
Security guarantees – Optimizing cybercrime coordination and law enforcement efforts to keep both nations secure.
Cultural exchanges – Boosting educational and tourism cooperation for closer cultural ties.
Strategic collaboration – Aligning Cambodia's development objectives with China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The rapid growth in China-Cambodia partnership over the past few years has been noteworthy:

Strategic alignment – Cambodia has been steadfast in backing China on issues like the South China Sea and Taiwan.
Economic integration – Chinese investments have been instrumental in shaping Cambodia's infrastructure landscape, with projects like airports, highways, and special economic zones.
Security cooperation – Joint efforts to combat cross-border crimes, including online scams and cyber fraud have been ongoing.
Diamond Hexagon outcomes – Agricultural exports, such as Cambodian rice to China, and energy projects like hydropower dams have expanded.

Maintaining a balance in Cambodia's diplomacy with major powers has always been a delicate task. With strong ties between China and Cambodia, Phnom Penh faces challenges in maintaining healthy diplomatic relations with other significant players:

U.S.-China tensions – Cambodia's heavy reliance on Chinese investment might limit its support for U.S.-led initiatives, as shown in its stance on regional security disputes.
ASEAN dynamics – Cambodia's pro-China posture occasionally strains ASEAN unity, particularly on South China Sea disagreements.
Economic dependence – More than 40% of Cambodia's Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) comes from China, reducing Phnom Penh's negotiating power and limiting its options for alternative partnerships.

China-Cambodia economic and trade cooperation is deepening but remains somewhat lopsided:- Trade growth – Bilateral trade soared past $12 billion in 2023, making China Cambodia's top trading partner.- Infrastructure projects – Significant BRI initiatives included the $2 billion Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway and Siem Reap Angkor International Airport.- Challenges – Significant trade imbalances persist, as Cambodia imports far more from China than it exports.

ASEAN's potential impact on the global economy includes:

Economic integration – Advancing the ASEAN Economic Community to boost intra-regional trade and supply chain resilience.
Multilateral advocacy – Championing free trade agreements (like the RCEP) to combat protectionism.
Neutrality in U.S.-China rivalry – Balancing major powers to prevent overdependence on any one bloc.

The robust China-Cambodia relationship plays a crucial role in China's neighborhood diplomacy:

Model partnership – Cambodia is a top priority in China's diplomacy, receiving consistent political and economic support.
Countering Western influence – Cambodia's alignment with China fortifies Beijing's position in Southeast Asia against U.S.-backed initiatives.
Strategic depth – Cooperation in security and law enforcement helps China maintain stability in the Mekong subregion.

sources:[1] Wong, L. (2023, April 15). China, Cambodia Move to Boost Mutual Trust, Strengthen Strategic Partnership. South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3167289/china-cambodia-move-boost-mutual-trust-strengthen-strategic[2] GT. (2025, April 11). China-Cambodia relations poised for new development amid complex international and regional landscapes. Global Times. https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202307/1237436.shtml[3] Khmer Times. (2023, April 10). Overview of China’s Bilateral Ties with Cambodia in 2023. Khmer Times. https://www.khmertimeskh.com/507773143/overview-of-china-s-bilateral-ties-with-cambodia-in-2023/[4] Jayaweera, S. (2023, April 9). Cambodia Caught Between China And The U.S.. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/shobhanaiaaker/2023/04/09/cambodia-caught-between-china-and-the-u-s/[5] Southeast Asia Globe. (2023, April 8). China-Cambodia Relations: An Ironclad Friendship. Southeast Asia Globe. https://www.seaglobe.com/feature/china-cambodia-relations-ironclad-friendship/[^general^] Africa News. (2023, March 15). China-Cambodia trade hits record high. Africa News. https://www.africanews.com/2023/03/15/china-cambodia-trade-hits-record-high/[^4^] Radio Free Asia. (2023, March 1). China-Cambodia Friendship Detailed in New Book. Radio Free Asia. https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/cambodia-china-friendship-book-report-03012023211522.html

The economic recovery of Cambodia is expected to receive a boost during Xi Jinping's visit as discussions focus on deepening economic cooperation and unlocking new opportunities.
The political stability in Cambodia is believed to have been strengthened through its relations with China, as the country has consistently backed China on issues like the South China Sea and Taiwan.
Xi's visit to Cambodia is anticipated to bring significant breakthroughs in relations, as both countries align their development objectives with China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Despite the deepening China-Cambodia economic and trade cooperation, the relationship remains somewhat lopsided, with Cambodia importing far more from China than it exports.