At the invitation of His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid an official state visit to Cambodia on April 17–18, 2025 — marking his first visit in eight and a half years since his previous trip as Head of State in October 2016.
Cambodia hosted President Xi with full ceremonial honors, as King Norodom Sihamoni personally welcomed him and his delegation at Phnom Penh International Airport, where an official welcoming ceremony was also held.
High-Level Meetings and Strengthened Political Trust
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During the visit, President Xi Jinping met with King Norodom Sihamoni, Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, and held talks with Senate President Techo Hun Sen and Prime Minister Thipadei Hun Manet.
The Cambodian side described the visit as a milestone event demonstrating the ironclad friendship between the two countries, laying a foundation for deepening the Cambodia–China community of shared future.
China reaffirmed Cambodia’s important role in its foreign policy, pledging continued support for the country’s independent development path. Beijing also emphasized that China–Cambodia relations serve as a new model of international partnership, noting that Cambodia remains a priority partner in China’s neighborhood diplomacy, with commitments to support Cambodia’s development according to its national conditions.
Expanding Cooperation Across Multiple Sectors
The visit underscored the high level of political trust between the two sides and their mutual commitment to cooperation for shared benefits.
According to the official press release, the two nations discussed cooperation in:
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Politics and governance
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Development assistance
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Trade and investment promotion
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Defense and security
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Citizen safety and protection
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Cultural and people-to-people exchanges
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Regional and international cooperation
Both countries also reaffirmed their commitment to effectively implement the “Diamond Cooperation Framework”, emphasizing collaboration in industrial and technological corridors as well as fisheries and rice value chains.
37 Bilateral Agreements Signed
During the visit, 37 cooperation documents were signed, covering diverse areas such as:
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Global Security Initiative (GSI) collaboration
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Education and human resource development
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Industrial and agricultural supply chains
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Development assistance and customs cooperation
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Healthcare and tourism partnerships
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Media and information exchange
In addition, several business-to-business and investment agreements were concluded, including:
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The Phnom Penh–Funan Techo Canal Project
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The 900 MW LPG Power Plant Project in Koh Kong Province
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A Strategic Partnership Agreement for railway construction projects
A New Chapter in the China–Cambodia Comprehensive Partnership
Both sides emphasized the importance of enhancing exchanges at all levels to deepen mutual understanding and strengthen strategic trust.
They also expressed their determination to expand cooperation across all sectors, build upon existing successes, and promote practical partnerships benefiting both nations.
President Xi’s visit is widely regarded as a powerful symbol of enduring friendship, marking the beginning of a new phase of cooperation under the shared vision of prosperity and mutual respect.