Starting in June, the US will enforce new tariffs — some exceeding 3,500%—on solar panel imports from Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia. The move is part of an effort to counter what US officials referred to as “unfair Chinese subsidies” funnelled through Southeast Asian manufacturers. The US Commerce Department announced Monday, April 21 that companies based in Cambodia will face a staggering 3,521% duty. Vietnamese firms will be hit with a 395.9% tariff, while Thai manufacturers face 375.2%. Malaysia’s nationwide rate is set at just 34.4%. This decision follows last year’s imposition of anti-dumping and countervailing duties on solar gear…
Author: Raksmey Hong
A profound journey into memory, emotion and the subconscious is unfolding this week, as French-Italian artist Romain Garzonio, known as ROMA, presents his debut solo exhibition, Subconscious Square Roots, in Phnom Penh. The show opened on April 20 and runs through June 30, on Level 35 at the Rosewood Phnom Penh. The exhibition transforms the gallery into a dreamlike realm of personal reflection and timeless emotion. “Visitors are invited into ROMA’s inner world through a collection of 38 evocative works — including 27 paintings, 5 sculptures, 3 photographs and 3 drawings — each created instinctively and layered with meaning,” according…
Cambodia has urged its fellow Asia-Pacific nations to deepen regional cooperation in building resilient and sustainable cities, highlighting its own transformation from post-conflict recovery to forward-looking urban development. Speaking at the 81st session of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) on April 21 in Bangkok, Thailand, senior minister Ly Thuch shared how risks such as climate disasters, infrastructure gaps and resource pressures demand shared solutions. “The answers to these challenges lie not in isolation, but in cooperation,” he told the assembled delegates, as the session convened under the theme “Regional cooperation for resilient and…
In a groundbreaking fusion of robotics, automation and art, students at CamTech are exploring the capabilities of robotic arms that can draw in various styles, including the beloved Ghibli animation style. Spearheading this project is Kosal Cholsa, a robotics and automation student at the school’s Faculty of Engineering, whose innovations are drawing widespread attention for their creativity and precision. At the heart of this drawing robot lies a sophisticated Python program designed to interface seamlessly with a robotic arm. Cholsa, who developed the system, explains that the robot’s capabilities stem from a few critical functions embedded in the code, which…
The Cambodian Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts have signed a landmark memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a delegation from the Chinese film industry. The new agreement will strengthen bilateral cooperation in the film sector, particularly by encouraging more Chinese film productions in Cambodia. The agreement was formalised during an April 17 ceremony attended by Hap Touch, ministry secretary of state, and a Chinese delegation led by Zhang Xuxia, vice-director of the China Film Archive, and Xu Yang, director of the International Relations Department of the Film Administration. “We have signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the film…
How history has changed; today, April 17, 2025, as Chinese President Xi Jinping visits Cambodia to deepen diplomatic and economic ties, the contrast is stark. On April 17, 1975, Cambodia witnessed a turning point in its history that would forever change the lives of its people. This date marked the fall of the Khmer Republic and the triumph of the Khmer Rouge, as the forces of Pol Pot marched into Phnom Penh, signalling the start of a brutal regime that would claim the lives of millions. “April 17, 1975, remains one of the darkest days in the nation’s history, as…
Chinese President Xi Jinping touched down in Phnom Penh today, Thursday, April 17, kicking off a two-day state visit to Cambodia, the final stop in a Southeast Asia tour that also included Vietnam and Malaysia. The tour is taking place against the backdrop of escalating tariff wars and sharp rhetoric from US President Donald Trump, who accused the region of “trying to figure out how to screw the United States”. During the visit, Xi is scheduled to have separate Royal Audiences with His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni and Her Majesty Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, the Queen-Mother, at the Royal Palace, according…
In a world craving authenticity and soul, Cambodian artist Nou Sary delivers a cultural reset with his latest dual exhibitions, in Phnom Penh and Paris, France. From the timeless halls of Raffles Hotel Le Royal to the contemporary art space of the French capital’s Epidemick Gallery France, Sary invites audiences to feel—really feel—the heartbeat of Cambodia. “Sary Nouwill be present at the gallery from April 4 to12, creating a unique opportunity to engage with him directly, notably through dinners and meetings organised within the gallery,” explained the French gallery. “Les Couleurs de l’Âme Khmer is a testament to Sary Nou’s…
Indonesia and Cambodia are taking their police-to-police partnership to the next level, in an effort to turn policy into real-world impact. In an April 9 meeting facilitated by the embassy of Indonesia in Phnom Penh, a high-level Indonesian police delegation led by Inspector General Krishna Murti met with the Cambodian National Police’s INTERPOL team, led by Major General Phauk Kolkomar, to boost coordination against transnational crimes. The focus? Upgrading joint efforts under an existing 2023 memorandum of understanding (MoU) on preventing and combating transnational crimes — especially human trafficking and cybercrime, and ramping up capacity-building programmes. Embassy spokesperson Linda Widiyanti,…
On Saturday last week, DICHI Academy celebrated the culmination of its first Techpreneur Bootcamp cohort with a final showcase: the MVP Demo Day. This event marked the completion of a nine-month journey, with students presenting digital products they have developed to address real-world challenges. Focused on the theme of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the event was attended by representatives from various tech companies, programme partners and industry stakeholders. Over the course of the bootcamp, 30 students, known as Techpreneurs, from multiple Phnom Penh universities, underwent intensive training in full stack development. “They honed essential technical skills in front-end, back-end and…