China's foreign and defense ministers meet with counterparts in Cambodia
AP News • • world
Key Points:
- Cambodia and China held their first "2+2" Strategic Dialogue Mechanism meeting, involving foreign and defense ministers to strengthen political and security cooperation.
- The initiative was proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his 2023 state visit to Cambodia, aiming to enhance the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations.
- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Defense Minister Dong Jun are also scheduled to visit Thailand and Myanmar as part of their regional diplomatic tour.
- China is Cambodia’s largest investor and aid donor, with bilateral trade reaching nearly $20 billion last year, though the relationship has raised concerns about China’s military influence in Southeast Asia.
- The U.S. has expressed suspicion that Chinese-funded upgrades to Cambodia's Ream Naval Base could serve as a strategic military outpost, a claim Cambodian officials have consistently denied.
