Hun Sen Says Global Changes Will Not Alter Cambodia-China Friendship
Hun Sen Says Global Changes Will Not Alter Cambodia-China Friendship
PHNOM PENH, April 23, 2026 — Cambodia’s Senate President Hun Sen met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Phnom Penh on Thursday and urged Beijing to continue supporting Cambodia’s economic development, as both sides reaffirmed what they called their longstanding “ironclad friendship.”
The meeting took place at the Senate’s Samdech Vibol Sena Pheakdei Say Chhum building, one day after Cambodia and China held their first 2+2 strategic dialogue involving foreign and defense ministers.
According to Cambodian officials, Hun Sen welcomed Wang Yi’s visit and said the presence of China’s foreign and defense ministers in Cambodia demonstrated the strength of bilateral ties.
“Whatever changes are taking place in the world, friendship between Cambodia and China has not changed,” Hun Sen was quoted as saying.
Wang Yi conveyed greetings from Chinese President Xi Jinping and praised Hun Sen as a key figure in strengthening ties between the two countries over many years.
He also highlighted China’s support for the health care of Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni, who has recently been receiving medical treatment in Beijing.
Wang said the “ironclad friendship” between Cambodia and China was not merely symbolic, but reflected practical cooperation built over time and continued under Prime Minister Hun Manet’s administration.
The Chinese minister also briefed Hun Sen on the outcomes of the inaugural Cambodia-China 2+2 strategic dialogue, which officials said produced a range of agreements to deepen cooperation.
Hun Sen welcomed the results of the talks and said Cambodia hoped relations with China would grow even stronger through the new strategic mechanism.
He emphasized that the core pillar of bilateral ties should remain economic cooperation, calling for continued Chinese support to help Cambodia strengthen economic resilience.
Hun Sen thanked China for past assistance, particularly in infrastructure development, which he said had contributed significantly to Cambodia’s economic growth.
Wang, in turn, praised Cambodia’s economic progress and urban development, citing the rise of high-rise buildings and major construction projects.
China would continue supporting Cambodia’s development in line with what both sides describe as a shared future community and the interests of the two peoples, Wang said.
China is Cambodia’s largest investor and one of its closest diplomatic partners, with ties spanning infrastructure, trade, defense and political cooperation.
