China Vows Full Support for Cambodia's Socio-Economic Development; Xi Jinping Meets PM Hun Manet

Phnom Penh, July 18, 2026 – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China, on the afternoon of July 17, 2026. The meeting took place during the Prime Minister's working visit to China from July 15 to 17, 2026, to attend the World Artificial Intelligence Conference 2026. During the meeting, President Xi Jinping highly praised the robust relationship and "iron friendship" between China and Cambodia. He emphasized China's support for Cambodia's socio-economic development. Furthermore, he highlighted the continuation of cooperation with Cambodia, promoting the "Diamond Cooperation Framework" and accelerating the realization of the "Industrial and Technological Corridor" and the "Fisheries and Rice Corridor" to ensure continuous progress. In response, Prime Minister Hun Manet congratulated the Chinese government on the success of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference 2026. He expressed gratitude to the Chinese government and people for their continued support and assistance, which have contributed to Cambodia's socio-economic development, infrastructure construction, and the improvement of the Cambodian people's livelihoods. The Prime Minister reiterated Cambodia's unwavering adherence to the "One China" principle, considering issues of Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Tibet as internal affairs of China. He also highly valued the steady development of Cambodia-China relations as comprehensive strategic cooperative partners and "iron friends," working together to build a "Cambodia-China Community of Shared Future for All Seasons in the New Era." Prime Minister Hun Manet and President Xi Jinping continued their discussions and exchanged views on new initiatives and future work directions aimed at further deepening cooperation in key sectors between the two countries, including political-diplomatic, economic and trade, infrastructure connectivity, electricity, artificial intelligence and digital economy, agriculture, national defense, and security. Before concluding, the Prime Minister briefed President Xi Jinping on the latest developments in the Cambodia-Thailand border situation, emphasizing Cambodia's commitment and stance to resolve border issues peacefully, based on international law, and in accordance with existing conventions, treaties, and agreements between Cambodia and Thailand. Source: AKP Khmer