By SOPHENG CHEANG
Updated 1:40 PM BST, April 22, 2026
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia and China on Wednesday held their first meeting of what is called a “2+2” Strategic Dialogue Mechanism, bringing together both countries’ foreign and defense ministers to deepen mutual political and security ties.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Defense Minister Dong Jun are visiting Cambodia to hold talks with their counterparts, Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn and Defense Minister Tea Seiha.
These talks are an initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his state visit in April last year, aimed at boosting relations and the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations. China has worked to increase its sphere of influence in Southeast Asia, and initiated the ministerial-level “2+2” dialogue format with Indonesia last year.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced Tuesday that Wang Yi will also visit Thailand and Myanmar following his stop in Cambodia.
While in Cambodia, both Chinese ministers are also to hold separate meetings with Senate President Hun Sen and Prime Minister Hun Manet. Following the joint “2+2” meeting, Wang Yi on Thursday is scheduled to have in-depth discussions with Prak Sokhonn to discuss the implementation of existing cooperation frameworks and contributions to regional peace, security and stability.
No details of any of the meetings were immediately available from Cambodian officials.
Updated 1:40 PM BST, April 22, 2026
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia and China on Wednesday held their first meeting of what is called a “2+2” Strategic Dialogue Mechanism, bringing together both countries’ foreign and defense ministers to deepen mutual political and security ties.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Defense Minister Dong Jun are visiting Cambodia to hold talks with their counterparts, Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn and Defense Minister Tea Seiha.
These talks are an initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his state visit in April last year, aimed at boosting relations and the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations. China has worked to increase its sphere of influence in Southeast Asia, and initiated the ministerial-level “2+2” dialogue format with Indonesia last year.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced Tuesday that Wang Yi will also visit Thailand and Myanmar following his stop in Cambodia.
While in Cambodia, both Chinese ministers are also to hold separate meetings with Senate President Hun Sen and Prime Minister Hun Manet. Following the joint “2+2” meeting, Wang Yi on Thursday is scheduled to have in-depth discussions with Prak Sokhonn to discuss the implementation of existing cooperation frameworks and contributions to regional peace, security and stability.
No details of any of the meetings were immediately available from Cambodian officials.
China is the largest investor and aid donor for Cambodia, which stands as Beijing’s closest political partner in Southeast Asia. Their bilateral trade reached $19.73 billion last year, overwhelmingly in China’s favor.
The close relations fuel suspicions among analysts and the U.S. government that a Chinese-funded project to upgrade Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base will be used as a strategic military outpost by China. Construction at the base, located on the Gulf of Thailand, last year saw the completion of a new pier to accommodate larger ships, a dry dock for repairs and other features.
Washington has publicly expressed the concern that Beijing has been secretly granted exclusive privileges to use the base, though Cambodian officials have repeatedly denied the accusations. At the opening of the base expansion in April last year, Prime Minister Hun Manet specifically denied these allegations, declaring that the expansion wasn’t hidden from other countries.
Three months ago, the USS Cincinnati, with a crew of about 100, became the first U.S. Navy warship to dock at the facility since its Chinese-funded renovation was completed.
1 comment:
How to transfer the power peacefully and successfully in Cambodia?
Hun Sen was installed by Vietnam to serve Vietnam’s interest, Hun Sen never hesitated to do whatever was necessary to please his masters and maintain his grip on power.
Many Khmer people have lamented that we cannot win through a general election. This has been true when we have allowed Hun Sen to do whatever he wanted.
For example, in 2017, we allowed Hun Sen to dissolve the CNRP without facing any consequences
To overcome this major obstacle, we must pick a just cause to fight for.
Notice that the commune election will be held in 2027 and the general election in 2028.
In early 2027, the Khmer people should stage a peaceful demonstration to demand the release of all political prisoners, NEC reforms, and the reinstatement of the CNRP.
Should our requirements remain unaddressed, we intend to maintain our protest activities, which may impact the upcoming electoral process.
Without an acceptable resolution, our peaceful demonstrations will continue to highlight these issues throughout the election period.
We have allowed Hun Sen to manipulate the election, abuse the constitution, and violently suppress Khmer patriots at will.
This time, Khmer people should be ready to sacrifice their lives through a peaceful demonstration for their highest priority: the freedom to vote. No more backdown if we want to see a different outcome from our peaceful demonstration. Our unwavering determination and willingness to die will honor our Khmer heroes like Venerable Sam Bunthoeun, Chea Vichea, Chhut Vuthy, and Dr. Kem Ley
In short, our goal is to get a free and fair election. Is this too much to ask?
Therefore, the peaceful demonstration must take place before the election, NOT AFTER when Hun Sen declares that he is the winner of a fraudulent contest.
We cannot make the same mistake for over 40 years and expect to get a different result. We must make the government abide by the constitution.
The dissolution of the CNRP was unconstitutional. We got to fight through a peaceful demonstration BEFORE the election to get the CNRP reinstated..
In this world, freedom is not free. We must pay some price to get it.
A free and fair election is the only way to change the power in Cambodia. The PEOPLE’S REVOLUTION will open the door for Vietnam and Thailand to directly or indirectly interfere and put a new puppet to serve their interests.
The means to achieve a free and fair election is a peaceful demonstration before the election, demanding that the government release all political prisoners, comprehensively reform the NEC, and reinstate the CNRP.
Then we join the election process. Win or lose, we will gracefully accept it because we do it the right way.
If Hun Sen is a Khmer, facing Thailand’s aggression and Vietnam’s influence, he must strengthen Khmer solidarity by voluntarily promoting a free and fair election so that Khmer people can select a competent and popular leader to save Cambodia during this turbulent time. By promoting a free and fair election, Hun Sen will leave a great legacy behind for the future.
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