PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) 鈥 Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Cambodia on Thursday for a two-day state visit that serves as an opportunity to further strengthen China's already robust relations with its closest ally in Southeast Asia.
The visit, Xi鈥檚 first since 2016, concludes a three-nation tour that included stops in and . China has been increasing its influence in the region over the past decade, largely by exercising its substantial economic leverage.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet recently described Beijing as 鈥渁n important and indispensable friend of Cambodia that has helped support the country鈥檚 economic and social development.鈥
Xi was welcomed at the airport in Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh by King Norodom Sihamoni, who later granted him a royal audience. Xi also met later with Prime Minister Hun Manet and Senate President Hun Sen, who is Hun Manet鈥檚 father and predecessor as prime minister.
In a statement at the airport after his arrival on his presidential aircraft, an American-made Air China Boeing 747, Xi declared 鈥淐ambodia is a priority in China鈥檚 neighborhood diplomacy."
"China will unswervingly support Cambodia in upholding strategic autonomy and in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions,鈥 he said, according to a transcript distributed by the Chinese embassy.
Trade was likely a major topic of Xi鈥檚 discussions in Cambodia, which faces among the highest tariff rates proposed by Washington. In addition to Trump's universal 10% tariff, the country faces the threat of a 49% tax on exports to the U.S. once his 90-day pause expires.
Xi鈥檚 tour was organized before Trump announced his global 鈥渞eciprocal鈥 tariffs on April 2.
In Vietnam and Malaysia, Xi emphasized strengthening ties, particularly in trade and investment, amid global economic uncertainties and the backdrop of trade tensions with the United States. He underscored the need to oppose unilateralism and protectionism and uphold the multilateral trading system.
China is presenting itself as a source of stability and certainty as Southeast Asia; where Trump's tariffs threaten the region's export-oriented economies whose largest markets are generally the United States.
鈥淭he timing of the visit is extraordinarily auspicious for China, falling just in the wake of the announcement of Trump鈥檚 tariffs that have caused managed consternation in Cambodia and Vietnam,鈥 while also causing 鈥渦pset鈥 in Malaysia, which faces lower rates, Astrid Nor茅n-Nilsson, a senior lecturer in the Study of Contemporary South-East Asia at Sweden's Lund University, commented in an email interview.
鈥淴i Jinping can now carry out the tour equipped with the moral authority and goodwill of a singularly constant friend and reliable trading partner.鈥
In addition to discussing bilateral ties and regional and international issues, Hun Manet said on the Telegram social and messaging app that he and Xi presided over the signing of 37 documents covering investment, trade, education, finance, information, youth work, agriculture, health, water resources, tourism, women鈥檚 affairs and other subjects.
Xi's visit came on the 50th anniversary of the April 17, 1975 takeover of Cambodia by the communist who imposed a reign of terror with Maoist-inspired policies that saw an estimated 1.7 million Cambodians die of starvation, overwork or executions.
Beijing was the main foreign backer of the Khmer Rouge and supported the group in carrying on a guerrilla war even after it was ousted from power in 1979 by an invasion from Vietnam, though such history is rarely discussed by either country.
Cambodia's rapid growth in recent decades has been fueled largely by Beijing.
In Hun Manet鈥檚 remarks earlier this month at the inauguration of a Chinese-funded road, he called China 鈥渁 first-class partner country,鈥 pointing to achievements like the inauguration of the Chinese-named Angkor Siem Reap Airport and a Phnom Penh ring road named after Xi as evidence of continued strong relations and gratitude, and noted China鈥檚 continued ranking as the top investor in Cambodia in 2024.
China is Cambodia鈥檚 largest trading partner, surpassing $15 billion in 2024 and representing nearly 30% of Cambodia鈥檚 total trade volume, though greatly in Beijing鈥檚 favor.
Beijing also helped fund an expansion of the on Cambodia鈥檚 southern coast, raising worries it could become a strategic outpost for the Chinese navy in the Gulf of Thailand. Cambodia has repeatedly denied any agreement granting China special privileges or the establishment of a foreign military base.
Cambodia has stated that warships from all friendly countries are welcome to dock at its new pier, provided they comply with certain conditions. on Tuesday that two of its minesweepers will visit the Ream base this weekend in the first foreign navy visit since the expansion project was completed.
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Peck reported from Bangkok.
