On April 22, Cambodia's Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn (2nd R) and Defence Minister Tea Seiha (R), together with China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi (2nd L) and China's Defence Minister Dong Jun (L), co-chaired the First Meeting of the “2+2” Strategic Dialogue between the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Ministers of National Defence of Cambodia and China, in Phnom Penh. Photo: MFA
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Defense Minister Dong Jun visited Cambodia for the first "2+2" strategic dialogue, meeting top leaders including Acting Head of State Hun Sen, Prime Minister Hun Manet, Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn and Defense Minister Tea Seiha.
On April 22, China and Cambodia inaugurated their first "2+2" Strategic Dialogue in Phnom Penh. The meeting involved foreign and defense ministers and aimed to deepen political and security ties and bilateral cooperation.
There are reports that this framework may expand to a "3+3" structure, adding interior ministers from both countries. This would signify deeper, more institutionalized cooperation between China and Cambodia.
Through this new diplomatic initiative, China is demonstrating an intention to expand its engagement with Cambodia beyond economic issues, shifting toward a partnership also focused on political and security collaboration.
FM Wang Yi told reporters that China is willing to develop the mechanism into a “strategic platform” for enhancing political and defense security cooperation.
He described the 2+2 strategic engagement with Cambodia as a key instrument for cementing mutual assistance and solidarity and advancing the construction of a China-Cambodia “community with a shared future”.
The talks aimed to coordinate security, especially at the regional level. China is ready to work with Cambodia to build an "Asian security model" based on shared security and seeking common ground while respecting differences.
This visit further demonstrates efforts to enhance comprehensive strategic ties with Cambodia and to underline China's growing diplomatic investments and influence in the Kingdom. Together with the new dialogue format, these efforts contribute to a more integrated approach to cooperation.
Key aspects of the 2026 China-Cambodia "2+2" Dialogue include advancing security and political cooperation through strategic dialogue and meetings between Prime Minister Hun Manet and Senate President Hun Sen. Both sides pledged to combat cross-border online gambling and telecommunications fraud.
It also reinforces three main points: First, Cambodia reaffirms its commitment to the "One-China" principle and supports China's positions on Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Xinjiang.
Second, the dialogue promotes infrastructure and economic development by accelerating Belt and Road projects, including the $1.7 billion Funan Techo Canal. Third, it addresses regional security by discussing border tensions with Thailand, offering mediation, and aiming to maintain stability.
During the meeting with the Cambodian Prime Minister on 22nd April, FM Wang Yi recalled the important consensus reached between President Xi Jinping and Cambodian leaders. They emphasized the need to ensure a successful first meeting of the China-Cambodia “2+2” strategic dialogue, which includes coordinating development and security tasks and adhering to the fundamentals of people’s livelihoods and public support.
They pledged to exclude external interference, deepen strategic mutual trust, promote all-round cooperation, and contribute to development and long-term stability for both countries. Regarding the border dispute, FM Wang Yi said China is willing to build more platforms for exchanges and direct dialogue between Cambodia and Thailand.
After the meeting with Cambodian Acting Head of State and Senate President Hun Sen on 23 April, FM Wang Yi announced that both sides firmly support each other in safeguarding their core interests, deepen all-round cooperation, strengthen law enforcement and defense cooperation, and enhance multilateral coordination.
Wang Yi believed that the "2+2" strategic dialogue mechanism would effectively enhance mutual strategic trust while expressing China's willingness to maintain high-level exchanges, expand pragmatic cooperation, and strengthen political security and law enforcement collaboration with Cambodia.
It was reported that Hun Sen told Wang Yi that Beijing's support and cooperation are Cambodia's greatest source of confidence in achieving development and maintaining security.
He expressed Phnom Penh’s commitment to strengthening strategic communication and cooperation with China, safeguarding political security, and enhancing economic resilience.
He added that Cambodia is determined to fight online gambling and telecom fraud to the end. Cambodia is willing to continue close cooperation with China in this effort.
In addition to building a China-Cambodia community with a shared future, the "2+2" strategic dialogue signals a key shift in China’s foreign policy by prioritizing relationships with neighboring countries like Cambodia at the top of its diplomatic agenda.
China's deeper security partnership with Cambodia comes during an ongoing border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand. Through the 2+2 framework, China offers security assurances to Cambodia and encourages peaceful conflict resolution between the two countries.
Ambassador Pou Sothirak is Distinguished Senior Advisor of the Cambodian Center for Regional Studies.
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