Synopsis: The two countries launch strategic dialogue in Phnom Penh, bringing together top foreign and defence officials to buttress ties.
Cambodia and China elevated their strategic partnership with the launch of the first “2+2” dialogue in Phnom Penh yesterday as their foreign and defence ministers met to deepen political and security cooperation and advance shared vision of an “all-weather” community.
Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn and Defence Minister General Tea Seiha co-chaired the inaugural meeting with their Chinese counterparts Wang Yi and Dong Jun.
Ahead of the talks, the two Chinese ministers also met Prime Minister Hun Manet at the Peace Palace.
“Cambodia and China are Comprehensive Strategic Partners and ironclad friends, and are actively working together to build an all-weather Cambodia-China community with a shared future in the new era,” Mr Hun Manet wrote after the meeting.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a press conference Tuesday that Wang would visit Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar from yesterday to April 26.
Guo added that during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Cambodia in April last year, both sides agreed to establish the “2+2” strategic dialogue mechanism involving the foreign and defence ministers.
“It fully demonstrates the high-level and strategic nature of the bilateral relations,” he said. “Amid turbulence and transformations in the world, the launch of the ‘2+2’ strategic dialogue mechanism can help China and Cambodia strengthen strategic communication and tackle external challenges together.”
He added that the initiative is a pathway to advancing modernisation in both countries.
Wang and Dong held talks with the Cambodian side, focusing on ties and cooperation in political and defence fields.
“China is ready to work with Cambodia to make good use of the strategic communication platform, and make coordinated efforts to advance high-quality development and high-level security for the prosperity, revitalisation and long-term stability of the two countries,” Guo said.
Analysts said the launch of the Cambodia-China “2+2” strategic dialogue marks a step in deepening bilateral ties, particularly in political, security and defence cooperation.
They added that the mechanism reflects mutual trust and signals the intention of both countries to institutionalise regular strategic coordination. The dialogue is also seen as strengthening Cambodia’s role in regional diplomacy while reinforcing China’s engagement in Southeast Asia.
