Cambodia Pursues China's Digital Model for Smart Manufacturing and Governance

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 23, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia is seeking to draw on China’s experience in digital transformation to advance smart manufacturing, the digital economy and digital government, officials said Tuesday as a bilateral seminar concluded in Phnom Penh. Kong Vimean, secretary‑general of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), presided over the closing ceremony of the seminar on “Smart Manufacturing, Digital Economy and Digital Government in Cambodia.” The event was organised by the CDC, the Chinese Embassy and Hunan International Business Vocational College under a bilateral assistance framework. The seminar aimed to share China’s knowledge and experience in applying smart technologies to industry and governance. Attendees included Guan Wei, counsellor of the Chinese Embassy, professors from Hunan International Business Vocational College and Hunan Vocational College of Labour and Human Resources, as well as leaders and officials from nine Cambodian ministries and institutions. Vimean highlighted the “ironclad friendship” between Cambodia and China, saying it had been carefully nurtured by both governments and peoples. He stressed the importance of human resource development, institutional capacity building and digital transformation in supporting the Royal Government’s policy priorities. He expressed hope that the knowledge gained would be applied by participants in their ministries and institutions to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Vimean also thanked the Chinese government, the embassy and the colleges for their contributions to the seminar’s success. Officials said the program reflects continued Cambodia–China cooperation in sharing expertise on digital transformation, with a focus on strengthening Cambodia’s capacity in smart manufacturing, the digital economy and digital government.