PHNOM PENH: Cambodia and China have agreed on how to welcome back 1 million Chinese tourists in 2023, although the giant economy only announced the country’s reopening late last year.

H.E. Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism, paid a courtesy call on Mr. Du TianQiao, Executive Director of the China Association for Regional Business and Economic Cooperation and International Trade, on February 1, 2023, to discuss and exchange views on increasing the flow of Sino-Cambodian tourists to commemorate the 65th anniversary of Cambodia-China diplomatic relations, to promote and attract one million Chinese tourists this year.

The two parties organized a number of events and activities this year to carry out the agreed-upon plan,, including:

• Organize tourism, culture, and sports events such as the golf marathon, especially the Sao Linh University martial arts performance, as well as the Cambodian Bokator (which was added to the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on November 29, 2022) before the 32nd SEA Games in Phnom Penh.
• Organize a tourism business and investment forum between Cambodia and China.
• Organize a Cambodian-Chinese music festival with Chinese and Cambodian celebrities to attract Chinese tourists.

Mr. His Excellency Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism, has requested that the association prepare a clear and detailed plan so that the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism can review and provide feedback and establish a working group to organize these events.