Kuala Lumpur, July 11 (AseanAll) — On July 10, 2025, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn in Kuala Lumpur.
Wang Yi said that the China-Cambodia friendship has withstood the tests of international changes and remains rock-solid. In April this year, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a historic visit to Cambodia, which was of milestone significance. The two leaders jointly announced the building of an all-weather China-Cambodia community with a shared future in the new era, and both sides have once again taken the lead in building a community with a shared future for mankind. Facing the volatile and turbulent international situation, China is ready to be a trustworthy friend and partner of Cambodia. The Chinese side is ready to work with the Cambodian side to implement the outcomes of President Xi Jinping's visit to Cambodia, expand areas of cooperation, enrich bilateral cooperation, and bring more benefits to the Cambodian people through building the China-Cambodia community with a shared future.
Wang Yi stated that China and Cambodia should strengthen cooperation within the framework of the three global initiatives, enrich the "Diamond Hexagon" cooperation framework between the two countries, implement the cooperation plans for the "Industrial Development Corridor" and the "Fish and Rice Corridor", and advance the implementation of early harvest projects. Wang Yi expressed the hope that both sides will take stronger and more effective measures to resolutely combat cross-border crimes such as online gambling, telecommunications fraud, counterfeiting and smuggling, thoroughly eradicate these malignant tumors, and ensure the safety of the people of both countries.
Wang Yi stressed that the United States imposing high tariffs on Cambodia and other Southeast Asian countries is an attempt to deprive all parties of their legitimate rights to development. He expressed confidence that Southeast Asian countries are capable of coping with the complex situation, upholding principled positions, and safeguarding their own interests as well as the common interests of all parties.
Prak Sokhonn said that China is Cambodia's most reliable friend. President Xi Jinping's visit to Cambodia this year was very successful, and both sides decided to build an all-weather Cambodia-China community with a shared future in the new era. Cambodia firmly supports the three global initiatives proposed by China.
Prak Sokhonn expressed gratitude for China's selfless assistance in Cambodia's economic and social development and the willingness to follow through on the common understandings reached between the leaders of the two countries, deepen pragmatic cooperation in trade, infrastructure and other fields, and jointly combat transnational crimes such as online gambling and telecommunications fraud.
Prak Sokhonn thanked China for giving zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines from Cambodia, calling it an act of friendship and brotherhood and a great help to Cambodia, which stands in stark contrast to the 36 percent tariff imposed by the United States on Cambodia. Cambodia is willing to resolve differences with the United States through negotiations but will neither abandon its principles and interests nor sacrifice the interests of third parties.
Wang Yi listened to Prak Sokhonn's briefing on the situation at the Cambodia-Thailand border. He said that although Cambodia and Thailand hold different positions, both sides are willing to manage the situation and ease tensions. Noting that Cambodia and Thailand are neighbors that cannot be moved away, Wang Yi expressed the belief that both sides will surely uphold the spirit of valuing the primacy of peace and forging friendships with neighbors to properly handle the issue. China will maintain an impartial, fair and just stance, respond to the needs of the parties concerned, and play a constructive role in this regard.
