Defence and foreign ministers meet in Phnom Penh after Hun Manet described China as a ‘most important and most trustworthy good friend’
3-MIN READ3-MINLaura ZhouPublished: 4:00pm, 23 Apr 2026Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for China and Cambodia to “stand in closer solidarity, now more than ever” in the first-ever 2+2 strategic dialogue aimed at deepening mutual political and security ties.Speaking during a meeting in Phnom Penh, Wang also urged the two sides to further strengthen political and security cooperation to “firmly hold the reins of development and security in their own hands”.
Cambodia opens US$2 billion Chinese-built airportAccording to the Cambodian foreign ministry, the two sides agreed to upgrade the diplomatic mechanism to involve the Chinese public security ministry and Cambodian interior ministry.
It said in a statement on Thursday that the 3+3 elevation aimed to “deepen bilateral cooperation and respond to evolving regional and global challenges”.
Bonds with neighbouring countries are a diplomatic priority as Beijing looks to enhance stability in supply chains and the external environment amid the increasingly fierce strategic competition with the US.
“China … is willing to deepen cooperation with Cambodia … to build an Asian security model characterised by shared security and risks, seeking common ground whilst reserving differences, and dialogue and consultation, thereby promoting the development of the global governance system in a more just and reasonable direction.”
