South China Sea: as tensions mount, Wang Yi vows Beijing to be by Cambodia’s side no matter what
As China’s investment flow exceeded a quarter of Cambodia’s GDP in 2021, Hun Manet added that Phnom Penh would continue to take part in the Belt and Road Initiative, a Beijing-led infrastructure project.
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‘Fruit of peace’: new China-funded airport launched in Cambodia
Hun Sen reaffirmed that Phnom Penh’s stance towards Beijing remained friendly and unchanged and he called the two countries “close friends and strategic partners”.
After taking office last year, Hun Manet visited China and met President Xi Jinping, sending a clear message that Phnom Penh’s China-friendly policy prevailed despite growing rivalry in the Asia-Pacific region related to the South China Sea.
Xi and Hun Manet met twice in September and October last year. Foreign Minister Wang met with his counterpart Chenda Sophea Sok in Beijing in December.
Wang’s high-profile visit to Cambodia this week also included meeting King Norodom Sihamoni, Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol and Chenda Sophea Sok.
In 2023, trade between the two countries reached $12.26 billion, marking a 5 per cent increase compared to 2022, according to Cambodia’s customs and excise department.
Chinese warships’ ‘exclusive’ access at Cambodia port stokes US concerns
The weight China affords Asean relationships was highlighted by Wang’s itinerary – which included stops in Indonesia and Asean observer state Papua New Guinea before his Cambodia stay – and visits to Beijing by Vietnam and Laos this month.
Beijing’s relations with the Philippines have deteriorated as the Asean member has drawn closer to Washington amid South China Sea disputes. Other Asean members seek to avoid being caught in the crossfire of the US-China rivalry.