Cambodia Pledges Stronger Support for Chinese Investors Amid Geopolitical Risks

Cambodia has pledged greater government backing for Chinese and international investors as it works to build a more predictable and resilient investment climate amid rising geopolitical and supply-chain risks. Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol, who also serves as First Vice Chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), made the pledge at the opening of the Gulangyu Forum – World Business Leaders Roundtable for Global Investment in Xiamen, Fujian province. Chanthol said companies investing abroad face challenges beyond finance, including political tensions, regulatory shifts, legal differences and supply-chain disruptions. He urged firms to prepare for such risks, quoting the Chinese proverb “Wei Yu Chou Mou” — “prepare before the rain comes.” He outlined three pillars Cambodia sees as vital for sustainable investment: predictability, partnership and diversification. Predictability, he said, requires clear rules, transparent laws and consistent policies. Partnership means foreign firms should act as development partners, creating jobs, transferring technology and respecting local culture. Diversification involves expanding markets, suppliers and logistics to withstand global uncertainty. Chanthol noted Cambodia has set up mechanisms for direct engagement with investors, including the Government-Private Sector Forum, Public-Private Dialogues and the “Open Day with DPM” initiative. He praised Chinese investment in Cambodia’s manufacturing, infrastructure and energy sectors, describing cooperation as mutually beneficial. He also stressed Cambodia would continue strengthening ties with China, ASEAN and other partners, saying investors should not be forced to choose between them. “Come and talk to us before you invest, talk to us while you invest, and continue talking to us after you invest,” Chanthol told participants. He said the government is ready to listen, help manage challenges and build long-term partnerships based on trust. The forum comes as Cambodia seeks to deepen investment links with China while positioning itself as a reliable base amid shifting global supply chains.