Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi has scheduled an upcoming state visit to Cambodia from August 12-13. The Kingdom is one of three ASEAN countries – along with Singapore and Malaysia – that Wang will visit during his mission, which began on August 10.

The Chinese government has affirmed that it is ready to cooperate with the three Southeast Asian nations to advance global development, security and civilisation initiatives.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s vision of building a community of common destiny.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on August 9 noted that Southeast Asian countries have been at the forefront of advancing the vision, and are China’s most important partners for BRI cooperation.

“China’s relations with Singapore, Malaysia and Cambodia have maintained a sound momentum of growth. China and Singapore have established an all-round high-quality future-oriented partnership. China and Malaysia have reached common understandings on jointly building a community of common destiny.

“China and Cambodia are also working to usher in a new era of building a high-quality, high-level and high-standard China-Cambodia community of common destiny,” he said.

He added that China hopes the visit will bolster strategic communication with the three nations, put the new characterisation of China-Singapore relations into action, achieve solid progress in building a community of common destiny, both with Malaysia and with Cambodia, deepen high-quality BRI cooperation and take bilateral relations to new heights.

He explained that China stands ready to work closely with the three countries to further global development, security and civilisation initiatives, boost post-pandemic economic recovery, safeguard peace and tranquility, deepen exchanges and increase mutual learning. He hopes this will enable China to make an even greater contribution to peace, stability and development of the region, and beyond.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation issued an August 10 statement on the upcoming visit.

The ministry said that while in Cambodia, the top diplomat will be granted a royal audience by King Norodom Sihamoni at the Royal Palace. He will pay separate courtesy calls on Prime Minister Hun Sen and Prime Minster-in-waiting Hun Manet.

“The discussions will encompass a range of issues pertaining to bilateral and multilateral cooperation, reflecting their shared priorities,” the ministry said.

He will also meet for talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International relations Prak Sokhonn and Sok Chenda Sophea, Minister Delegate attached to the Prime Minister and secretary-general of the Council for the Development of Cambodia.

“The dialogues will cover diverse dimensions of cooperation, spanning bilateral and multilateral realms, aligning with the reciprocal interests of both nations,” the ministry said.

“As the visit coincides with the commemoration of the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations and years of friendship between the two countries, it will contribute to further consolidating the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Cooperation between the two nations,” added the statement.

The ministry explained that it will also reinforce the high-level community with a shared future, foster the Diamond Cooperation Framework, and stimulate collaboration across regional and international platforms, thus mutually benefiting both countries and their people.

Kin Phea, director of the Royal Academy of Cambodia’s International Relations Institute, said the visit by the top Chinese diplomat shows the high value China places on ASEAN, and indicates that the level of Sino-ASEAN relations will further improve in 2023.

“This visit also demonstrates China’s backing of the Cambodian government’s seventh mandate, confirming that China continues to offer unwavering support to the Kingdom and its government, which has expanded ties and cooperation, despite the appointment of a new prime minister and Cabinet,” he added.