PHNOM PENH: Cambodia’s incoming leader, Hun Manet, held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, in Phnom Penh on Sunday, where the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the relationship between their nations.
The meeting comes as part of Wang’s three-day tour of Southeast Asia, which included visits to Singapore and Malaysia, amid recent tensions over the South China Sea.
Wang Yi’s visit marks the first by a Chinese official since Hun Manet’s appointment as prime minister on Monday. During his stay, Wang met with outgoing leader Hun Sen, as well as other Cambodian officials, and discussed matters of mutual interest.
Hun Manet’s appointment as prime minister was made by the king, but his government must secure a parliamentary vote on August 22. The ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), led by his father, dominates the lower house.
Cambodia Aims to Strengthen Cooperation with China
In a statement on his Telegram channel, Hun Manet conveyed his commitment to fostering cooperation between the two countries. He further affirmed his administration’s adherence to the One-China policy and assured non-interference in Chinese internal affairs through a post on his Facebook page.
Scheduled to visit China in the coming months, Hun Manet aims to fortify the bilateral partnership. Meanwhile, Wang Yi met with his Cambodian counterpart, emphasizing Beijing’s steadfast support for Cambodian sovereignty and expressing China’s backing for the nation.
Wang’s tour follows recent diplomatic tensions between China and the Philippines regarding territorial claims in the South China Sea. The Philippines accused the China Coast Guard of using water cannons against boats on a resupply mission, prompting heightened discussions over maritime disputes.
As members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Cambodia, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines are engaged in negotiations with China over a code of conduct in the South China Sea—a region Beijing asserts near-complete control over.
Under the leadership of Hun Sen, Cambodia has emerged as a prominent ally of China in the region, characterized by significant Chinese investments. The CPP’s landslide victory in July polls, marred by the exclusion of the main opposition party, solidified Hun Sen’s grip on power and paved the way for his succession by his eldest son.
Hun Manet, a distinguished four-star general, is poised to assume the mantle of leadership, with plans for his father to continue serving in various capacities until at least 2033.
