Chinese President Xi Jinping in Cambodia to strengthen ties between the two countries during an upcoming state visit

Chinese President Xi Jinping will travel to Cambodia on 17 and 18 April 2025 for a state visit, his first in the country in nine years. The visit is part of a broader tour of Southeast Asia, which includes stops in Vietnam and Malaysia, and aims to strengthen regional partnerships amid growing trade tensions with the United States.

Chinese President Xi Jinping - Xinhua

Background

President Xi's tour of Southeast Asia comes at a critical time, as China seeks to strengthen its regional influence in the face of growing tensions with the United States. The visit highlights China's commitment to fostering good-neighbourly relations and promoting economic cooperation, particularly in the context of the ongoing trade war.

President Xi Jinping's state visit to Cambodia therefore represents an important milestone in the evolution of relations between the two nations, with the emphasis likely to be on deepening strategic ties and strengthening regional cooperation.

President Xi's visit to Cambodia also highlights the deepening of strategic ties between the two nations. Cambodia is considered one of China's closest allies in Southeast Asia, with a long-standing alliance that has been strengthened by various cooperation initiatives.

The visit should further consolidate this alliance, building on the ‘Diamond Hexagon’ cooperation framework that covers key areas such as politics, production capacity, agriculture, energy, security and economic exchanges.

Main meetings and discussions

During his visit, President Xi will take part in meetings with the Cambodian leaders. He is due to hold separate talks with King Norodom Sihamoni and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk at the royal palace. He will also meet with Cambodian People's Party President and Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen and Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet. The talks will focus on strengthening bilateral ties and exchanging views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Expectations

The visit is expected to yield several key outcomes, including the signing of several documents aimed at strengthening cooperation in various sectors. This will not only deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Cambodia, but also, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, contribute to ‘the broader goal of building a community with a shared future.’