Phnom Penh and China's Hailunjiang City to Explore Sister City Ties to Boost Tourism and Economic Cooperation

Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, and Hailunjiang City in China's Heilongjiang Province have discussed the possibility of establishing sister city relations. This partnership aims to further enhance cooperation between the two cities in tourism and other sectors. The intention was expressed during a meeting on the afternoon of July 20, 2026, at the Phnom Penh City Hall between Mr. Khuong Sreng, Governor of Phnom Penh, and Mr. Han Senjian, Deputy Governor of Hailunjiang City. Governor Khuong Sreng briefed on the general situation and recent development of Phnom Penh, highlighting the government's vision to transform Cambodia into an upper-middle-income country by 2030 and a high-income country by 2050. He also noted that Cambodia and China have had diplomatic relations for over 60 years, and Phnom Penh has already established sister city ties with many cities in China. In response, Deputy Governor Han Senjian stated that the purpose of his delegation's visit to Phnom Penh was to establish good cooperative relations with the capital, particularly to boost tourism and encourage the import of Cambodian fruits into Hailunjiang City. He mentioned that tourism in his province, especially in Harbin City during winter, is highly attractive. He suggested that Phnom Penh and Hailunjiang City should collaborate in promoting each other's tourism attractions, such as Cambodia's renowned Angkor Wat and other tourist sites, to their respective citizens, thereby further invigorating tourism in both cities. He also extended an invitation to Governor Khuong Sreng and his colleagues to visit Hailunjiang City during the upcoming winter season. In response to Deputy Governor Han Senjian's desire for enhanced partnership and cooperation, Governor Khuong Sreng proposed that Phnom Penh and Hailunjiang City should consider the possibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish sister city ties. He suggested that a follow-up step would involve assigning specialized officials to discuss the details of the MoU before seeking approval from both governments. Regarding the invitation, the Governor indicated that he would consider the feasibility and timing to lead a delegation on a visit to Hailunjiang City in the future. Source: CEN Cambodia