Chea Munyrith① | Achievements of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cambodia: Historical Mutual Trust Forges a Community with a Shared Future

Chea Munyrith

Chea Munyrith, president of the Cambodian Chinese Evolution Researcher Association

---

Cambodia and China have a long and rich history, dating back to the 13th century. The two countries have a long history of trade and cultural exchanges, and their relationship has been characterized by mutual respect and understanding. In recent years, their relationship has deepened significantly with the two countries becoming close partners in a wide range of areas.

One key factor contributing to their relationship’s success is the shared values between these two nations. Cambodia and China share a deep respect for tradition, culture, and history which altogether form a solid foundation for their friendship. At the heart of this shared value system is a commitment to respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The trust and confidence between these two nations are two critical factors which undergird their bilateral relations. China and Cambodia established diplomatic relations on July 19, 1958. King Norodom Sihanouk played a pivotal role in fostering early relations, maintaining close ties with Chinese leaders such as Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai. Over the decades, mutual respect for sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs has strengthened trust.

Chinese artists perform during the launching ceremony of the 2024 Cambodia-China People-to-People Exchange Year in Siem Reap province, Cambodia, Jan 13, 2024. (Xinhua)

They also share a commitment to boost cultural exchanges and people-to-people ties. Both nations recognize the importance of enhancing cultural understanding through language training, cultural performances, and educational exchanges which have helped build bridges between the two peoples. China has increasing scholarships for Cambodian students to study in China. In Cambodia, China has also established Confucius Institutes to promote the mutual exchange of the Chinese language and culture. Nowadays, there is cooperation in tourism, with China being a top source of tourists to Cambodia.

Cambodia has joined China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), leading to significant infrastructure development (e.g., expressways, bridges, and ports). In 2023, China and Cambodia signed a “Diamond Cooperation Framework”, further deepening ties across political cooperation, production capacity, agriculture, energy, security and people-to-people exchanges. The vision emphasizes sustainable development, regional stability, and long-term partnership. Another shared value is a commitment to secure economic development. Both nations recognize the importance of economic growth and prosperity, generated through a strong promotion of trade and investment between their countries. China has been a key partner in Cambodia’s economic development, providing much-needed investment in infrastructure, agriculture, and other key sectors. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has provided many investment opportunities which have helped create jobs, boost economic growth, and improve the standard of living for Cambodian people.

Another key contributing factor to the success of their relationship lies in their shared geopolitical interests. Both nations recognize the importance of promoting peace and stability in the region. Their efforts to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the region have laid the foundation for the close relationship that exists between Cambodia and China today. At the political party level, the relations between the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and the Communist Party of China (CPC) have also been intensified. Between 1996 and 2020, around 60 official delegations were visiting each other’s country, leading to the signing of numerous MoUs and agreements to deepen trust between the two political parties. After the landslide July 2023 election victory, President Xi Jinping immediately sent a congratulatory message to Prime Minister Hun Sen and the Central Committee of the CPP. By the same token, Cambodian leaders sent a similar message in October 2022 to congratulate President Xi on his re-election as general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee. These reciprocal gestures attest to the significance both sides attach to their bilateral relations.

The strengthening of party-to-party relations has enabled the two countries to better protect each other’s interests. In February 2023, Cambodia and China co-issued a Joint Statement regarding the building of the Cambodia-China Community with a Shared Future in the New Era, whereby Cambodia reiterated its “adherence to the One-China Policy.” Cambodia also showed its support for China on regional and international issues, reiterating its position that the South China Sea issue is the concern of individual ASEAN countries and, as such, should be dealt with bilaterally. In 2022, when Cambodia held the ASEAN Chairmanship, it was one of the countries to protest against the visit to Taiwan by the US Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Honorable Pelosi Nancy, citing a violation of China’s state sovereignty.

Overall, Cambodia-China ties have reached a higher level, driven by mutual benefits and respect for each other’s independence. Over the years, various cooperation frameworks have been developed in the fields of politics, economics, and people-to-people ties. However, there is ample room for improvement between the two countries, particularly in the following aspects.

First, both countries should continue exchanging diplomatic visits to further enhance understanding in new strategic areas. Second, economic cooperation should be enhanced in ways that benefit both countries, which should increase the volume of purchases of Cambodia’s products to reduce the trade deficit. Third, people-to-people exchanges should be qualitatively improved with a focus on building a better image of Chinese nationals among the Cambodian people. Fourth, China should invest in more rural physical infrastructure to provide better opportunities for connectivity for Cambodians living in the provinces. Fifth, China should support more productive capacity-building programs in manufacturing to upgrade the development of human resources, which is one of the key priorities of the new Cambodian government.

(If you have specific expertise, or would like to share your thoughts, please send us your writings at CAobservation@outlook.com)