CHINESE President Xi Jinping arrived in Cambodia today for a two-day state visit aiming to further strengthen relations.

The visit, President Xi’s first since 2016, will conclude a three-nation south-east Asian tour that included stops in Vietnam and Malaysia. 

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet recently described Beijing as “an important and indispensable friend of Cambodia that has helped support the country’s economic and social development.”

Mr Xi was formally greeted at the airport in the capital Phnom Penh by head of state King Norodom Sihamoni. 

The Chinese leader is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Hun Manet and Senate President Hun Sen, who is Hun Manet’s father and predecessor as prime minister, during his visit.

He said: “Cambodia is a priority in China’s neighbourhood diplomacy. China will unswervingly support Cambodia in upholding strategic autonomy and in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions.”

Trade will likely be a major topic of discussions in Cambodia, which faces amongst the highest tariff rates proposed by Washington. 

In addition to US President Donald Trump’s universal 10 per cent tariff, the country faces the threat of a 49 per cent tax on exports to the US once his 90-day pause expires.

China itself was the only country excluded from the pause and according to a posting on the White House website on Wednesday will see US tariffs escalate again to 245 per cent “as a result of its retaliatory actions.”

China has previously responded by imposing its own tariffs of up to 125 per cent.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce said in a statement yesterday that it was maintaining communications with US counterparts and an open attitude toward economic and trade consultations with the US.

China and Cambodia are expected to sign a number of agreements aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and co-operation on regional and international issues.

President Xi has also highlighted the need to oppose unilateralism and protectionism and uphold the multilateral trading system.

China is Cambodia’s largest trading partner, surpassing $15 billion (around £11.75bn) in 2024, which represents nearly 30 per cent of Cambodia’s total trade volume.