Sihanoukville Strengthens Economic Ties with China's Jiangsu Province

Sihanoukville, a key port city in southern Cambodia, held significant discussions to bolster economic cooperation with China's Jiangsu Province. On the afternoon of Tuesday, September 15, 2026, His Excellency Mang Sineth, Governor of Sihanoukville Province, received a delegation from the Jiangsu Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, led by Mr. Li Yaoguang, Standing Member and Secretary of the Law and Policy Committee of the Jiangsu Provincial Party Committee. The meeting took place at the Novotel Sihanoukville Hotel. Governor Mang Sineth welcomed the Jiangsu delegation to Cambodia's coastal region and briefed them on the province's geography and potential. Sihanoukville Province, located in the southeast of Cambodia, recorded 5% economic growth in 2025. With 32 islands and 175 kilometers of coastline, the province is hailed as the "Star of the Southeast." Sihanoukville serves as the core of the four coastal provinces, including Kampot, Kep, and Koh Kong, and was admitted to the International Clean Beach Club in 2011. The Governor further elaborated on the province's transportation infrastructure, including waterways (a deep-sea port currently handling about 70% of cargo), land routes (National Road No. 3, No. 4, expressways, and railways), and air routes (an airport with a 3,300-meter runway capable of accommodating Boeing 747 and 380 aircraft). Direct flights are currently operating from Chinese cities such as Shenzhen, Wuxi, Quzhou, and Guangzhou. The Royal Government of Cambodia has formulated a master plan to develop Sihanoukville into a model multi-purpose Special Economic Zone, divided into four zones: 1. Transportation and Industry; 2. Integrated City, International Commercial and Financial Center; 3. Islands as Luxury Eco-tourism Zones; and 4. Agriculture and Aquaculture Zone. Governor Mang Sineth added that Prime Minister Hun Sen considers the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone a "child" born from the collaboration between himself and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Concurrently, Prime Minister Hun Manet has launched a special program to boost investment in Sihanoukville for 2024, offering benefits such as administrative facilitation and tax exemptions for 3.5 and 9 years. The Governor congratulated both nations on the 68th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Cambodia and China, a relationship that has been nurtured through successive leaders from His Majesty King Father Norodom Sihanouk to Prime Minister Hun Sen and now Prime Minister Hun Manet. He expressed hope for the establishment of the 300th factory in the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone in the future and urged Mr. Li Yaoguang to help promote and attract more Chinese investors to Sihanoukville. Mr. Li Yaoguang, Standing Member and Secretary of the Law and Policy Committee of the Jiangsu Provincial Party Committee, expressed gratitude to the Sihanoukville Provincial Administration. He noted the excellent cooperative relationship between the two provinces, which has brought mutual benefits to their citizens. Delegations from both provinces have frequently exchanged visits, fostering "diamond cooperation" between the peoples of the two countries. Medical teams from Jiangsu Province have also conducted humanitarian work in Sihanoukville for the ninth time, benefiting the people of both provinces. Cooperation extends to education, health, and tourism sectors. Both provinces are creating an investment environment in Cambodia, particularly in Sihanoukville, by strengthening people-to-people exchanges. The head of the Jiangsu provincial delegation pledged to help promote and encourage Chinese investors and citizens to visit Sihanoukville. By: Ngu Somony © All rights reserved by Agence Kampuchea Presse 2018