Cambodia and China have continued their bilateral dialogue, aiming to expand economic, trade, and investment cooperation. This ongoing engagement seeks to enhance economic relations, build trust within the Chinese business community, and ultimately drive the expansion of existing investments while attracting new capital into Cambodia.
The second Cambodia-China state-private sector dialogue was held on the morning of September 3, co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol, First Vice President of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), and H.E. Wang Wenbin, the Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia. This crucial meeting saw the participation of approximately 70 representatives from Chinese companies and enterprises currently operating in Cambodia. According to a press release from the CDC, the dialogue was specifically designed to foster greater economic, trade, and investment cooperation, with a particular focus on improving economic ties and building confidence among Chinese businesses to encourage both the expansion of existing investments and the attraction of new ones to the Kingdom.
The discussions between Cambodian state officials and the Chinese private sector primarily focused on providing updates regarding various relevant policies and regulations. It also served as a platform for Chinese enterprise representatives to offer feedback, express their views, and present requests, which were then addressed and clarified by representatives from pertinent Cambodian ministries and institutions. Significantly, the dialogue also aimed to identify and establish directions for future collaborative work. During these discussions, Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol carefully listened to and acknowledged all concerns, challenges, and specific needs articulated by Chinese investors. He pledged to take these issues forward for detailed discussion and to work closely with all relevant parties to find timely solutions.
Furthermore, the CDC’s First Vice President highlighted the Cambodian government’s strong political will and firm commitment to eradicating technology-related fraud and scams from the country. This proactive stance is intended to ensure a secure and highly trustworthy business environment for all investors. Mr. Sun Chanthol specifically informed the Chinese investors that Cambodia is scheduled to host an international conference on combating technology-based fraud on September 23-24, 2026, in Phnom Penh. This event, he stated, serves as clear evidence of Cambodia’s active efforts and high level of responsibility in addressing this issue within both regional and international frameworks.
In the near future, Mr. Sun Chanthol is set to lead a delegation on a mission to China, visiting Xiamen and Shenzhen, with the aim of attracting and promoting further investment. This initiative is designed to mobilize additional capital and deepen economic cooperation between the two nations. The CDC also affirmed the government’s strong resolve to modernize the Council for the Development of Cambodia itself, striving for operational excellence. This modernization effort is crucial for fulfilling its core mission of attracting, facilitating, and supporting investors with enhanced speed, responsiveness, and utmost efficiency.
H.E. Wang Wenbin, the Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia, highly commended the two successful Cambodia-China state-private sector dialogues held so far. He emphasized that these candid discussions underscore the sincere and robust friendship, coupled with high-level development cooperation, between the two nations, particularly within the framework of the “Cambodia-China Community of Shared Future in a New Era for All Seasons.” The Ambassador observed that many requests and challenges previously raised by the Chinese private sector have received timely, appropriate, and highly effective attention and resolution. This demonstrates the Cambodian government’s significant commitment to nurturing and supporting private sector investments. Ambassador Wang Wenbin characterized the Cambodia-China state-private sector dialogue not merely as a mechanism for consultation and addressing immediate challenges, but as a crucial strategic bridge to strengthen the “ironclad friendship” and enhance the “diamond cooperation” between Cambodia and China, ensuring continuous progress.
Both Cambodia and China have jointly pledged to continue promoting trade relations, increasing bilateral investment volumes, and fostering an even more favorable business environment. The shared objective is to respond promptly to needs, thereby delivering tangible economic benefits and sustainable development for the people and nations of both countries. China stands as Cambodia’s largest trade partner and the primary source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), contributing significantly to the Kingdom’s national economic growth. According to the CDC, from January to July 2026, Cambodia received approximately $1.5 billion in investment capital from China, with the majority of these funds directed into the manufacturing sector.
