Full coverage: Xi Visits Cambodia, Bangladesh, Attends BRICS summit
Full coverage: China’s Leaders
In Cambodia, Chinese President Xi Jinping is on his first state visit to Phnom Penh. China’s Belt & Road Initiative will be the focus of bilateral talks. Xi says that China is resolute in forging a closer relationship with Cambodia.
Xi was all smiles as he arrived in Cambodia for his first official state visit to the country. The trip is aimed to further strengthen China’s traditional friendship with its regional neighbor and deepen the two countries’ strategic partnership.
Chinese President Xi Jinping visits Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, Oct. 13, 2016. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)
Chinese President Xi Jinping(2nd R) talks with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen(3rd L) in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, Oct. 13, 2016. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)
Xi met Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and visited Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk in the capital, Phnom Penh. Xi also held talks with Prime Minister Hun Sen, and witnessed the signing of bilateral deals that will increase cooperation in trade, investment and tourism.
Cambodia’s former King Father Norodom Sihanouk worked hand in hand with CPC founders to build the strong friendship that the two nations enjoy today.
China is Cambodia’s largest trading partner and its largest source of foreign investment. In 2015, bilateral trade reached U.S.$4.4 billion, a growth of 18 percent from the year prior.
Phnom Penh Autonomous Port is 30 kilometers from Cambodia’s capital. Eighty percent of the goods that the port handles are headed for or from China. China helped build the port as part of its Belt and Road Initiative. Business leaders hope it will help connect economic centers across Asia and beyond.
“To do good business we have to meet the interests of both sides. Funding from China is good for Cambodia. We hope increased business ties with Cambodia will be good for China too,” said Yim Choeurn, Head of Operations, Phnom Penh Autonomous Port.
Xi leaves Cambodia this Friday to travel to Bangladesh. The trip marks the first state visit to Bangladesh by a Chinese president in more than 30 years. Xi then plans to fly to the western Indian state of Goa for the eighth BRICS summit, where he will meet with leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, and South Africa.
