PHNOM PENH: BEIJING, CHINA — Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol met with the vice minister in charge of China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), Zhou Haibing, on Monday to discuss the progress of a wide range of investment projects in Cambodia.
The meeting, held in Beijing, focused on enhancing cooperation in key sectors such as infrastructure, industry, the digital economy, and agriculture, building upon a previous Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries. Cambodia has seen significant progress in infrastructure, with projects spanning land, air, and waterways, which are critical for trade and socio-economic growth.
A major topic of discussion was the Funan Techo Canal Project. DPM Sun Chanthol, who was accompanied by Minister of Public Works and Transport Peng Ponea and Secretary of State of the Ministry of Economy and Finance Meas Soksensan, briefed his Chinese counterpart on the latest developments. He stated that the project has completed its boundary demarcation and detailed mapping for the first phase, with excavation and construction set to begin during the dry season in late 2025.
DPM emphasized the project’s long-term vision, which he attributed to former Prime Minister Hun Sen, now President of the Senate. He also noted that the project is receiving continued attention from Prime Minister Hun Manet and has the full support of Chinese President Xi Jinping, who expressed his backing during a visit to Cambodia in April 2025.
In a move to attract further investment, Cambodian DPM aslo asked the NDRC to encourage Chinese investors to explore opportunities in Cambodia, particularly in the infrastructure and logistics sectors. He highlighted the 174 projects outlined in the Comprehensive Master Plan for the Cambodian Intermodal Transport and Logistics System 2023-2033, which require an estimated investment of approximately US$36.6 billion.
In response, Vice Minister Zhou Haibing praised the strong bilateral relations and Cambodia’s support for the one-China policy. He acknowledged the successful collaboration between Cambodian and Chinese technical teams in completing the feasibility study for the Funan Techo Canal. Zhou confirmed that China will continue to support the project to ensure its progress and planned completion in 2028.