China’s President Xi Jinping arrived in on Thursday, as the Chinese leader bolsters ties with regional allies amid a trade threat from US President administration.
What’s on the agenda for Xi’s visit?
was greeted by Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni upon his arrival in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh.
Xi’s presence was met with fanfare after he got off the Air China plane, with people waving Cambodian and Chinese flags and holding portrait photos of the two leaders.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet is expected to hold talks with Xi later in the day. The two countries are celebrating 67 years of diplomatic ties.
Cambodia is a key ally for in Southeast Asia. The two countries have close political ties, with China investing billions of dollars in Cambodian infrastructure such as roads and airports.
In an article put out by Cambodian media, Xi urged Cambodia to reject “hegemonism” and “protectionism.”
One major issue between the two countries are .
China on Thursday praised Cambodia for deporting several Taiwanese citizens involved in the fraud centers to China.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Beijing “highly appreciates” Cambodia’s way of dealing with the , as it adhere to the “one-China principle.” China views as part of its territory, whereas Taiwan considers itself as distinct from mainland China.
China, Cambodia face massive tensions with Trump
Both China and Cambodia face with the US.
Trump has imposed 145% tariffs on Chinese goods, whereas Beijing put 125% on US goods in retaliation. The tariffs have put a massive trade barrier between the world’s two largest economies, with Trump urging China to make a deal.
The US president had also implemented a 49% tariffs on Cambodian goods, before suspending this policy for 90 days and instead imposing a 10% “baseline” tariff on the country’s products in the meantime.
Earlier in the week, and as China seeks to deepen its influence in the Southeast Asia region.
Edited by: Zac Crellin
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