PHNOM PENH – Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Cambodia on April 17 and 18, his first visit in nearly a decade.

The visit is at the invitation of King Norodom Sihamoni and is expected to bring the countries closer, proving the iron-friendship and good-brother titles. 

The visit is one of the state visits the Chinese president is paying to other Southeast Asia countries such as Vietnam and Malaysia from April 14 to 18.  

His first meeting will be with the King and Queen-Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk at the royal palace, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said. 

After that, Senate President Hun Sen and Prime Minister Hun Manet will meet the president to discuss relationship strengthening, and exchange views on issues of common interest. 

“It will add great significance to the ironclad friendship and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the nations,” the ministry said. 

Xi last visited Cambodia in 2016.

Policy analyst at the Royal Academy of Cambodia Seun Sam said the visit was a great opportunity to bring the countries closer and a chance for China to prove the titles of good brotherhood, diamond cooperation partners, and iron friends with Cambodia. 

“China should have a specific support for Cambodia,” Sam said.

“It’s an unfortunate occurrence in 2024 when China did not provide any new loans for the country, while South Korea, Japan, France, EU and the Asian Development Bank were helping significantly.

“Neighboring countries who don’t hold such titles, received greater supports from China instead. This should be taken into consideration. We don’t want only the title, but also the actions to prove it.”

The analyst said both are likely to discuss the opportunities for investment.

During the visit, Cambodia and China are expected to sign documents to promote cooperation in a variety of sectors. 

Ministry spokesperson Chum Sounry could not give details about the topics to be discussed but said the results of discussions and the visit would be issued later.