The strengthening of close cooperation between the Cambodian and Chinese governments — despite ongoing global uncertainties due to geopolitical and economic challenges — have continuously boosted bilateral trade between Cambodia and China. In the first half of the year, bilateral trade reached over $9 billion, marking a nearly 30% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
According to the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE), bilateral trade between Cambodia and China reached $9.28 billion in the first half of 2025, representing a 26.9% increase compared to the same period last year. During this period, Cambodia-China trade accounted for 30.34% of Cambodia’s total international trade volume, which stood at $30.57 billion.
Exports to China amounted to $750.62 million, a 7.9% decrease, while imports totalled $8.53 billion, a 31.2% increase.
This created a trade deficit of $7.78 billion for Cambodia, compared to a deficit of $5.68 billion in the same period in 2024.
During a meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet at the Peace Palace on July 15, Chen Zhou, vice-minister of the International Liaison Department of the Communist Party of China, noted that bilateral cooperation is growing stronger. He cited Chinese President Xi Jinping’s April state visit to Cambodia as a clear indication of improving relations between the two nations.
“In the context of continued global uncertainty and increasingly complex geopolitical and economic dynamics, strengthening and expanding cooperation between the two countries at all levels and in all sectors is increasingly important. This requires both countries to deepen and broaden bilateral cooperation — at the government-to-government and party-to-party levels — and to continue cultivating the next generation of capable youth leaders to lead their countries in the future,” he said.
Manet praised the progress of Cambodia-China relations at all levels, highlighting the achievements of an “all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership”. He encouraged the youth of both countries to strengthen and expand ties and collaboration in order to sustain and deepen the development of bilateral relations.
“The excellent cooperation at all levels of our bilateral relationship is inseparable from the deep connection between our two ruling parties, with youth playing a central role,” he said.
Lor Vichet, vice-president of the Cambodia Chinese Commerce Association(CCCA), told The Post that strong government ties, geographic advantages and market opportunities have driven the sustained growth in trade between the two countries. He explained that Cambodia’s large trade deficit with China is due to its dependence on Chinese raw materials for manufacturing and processing industries.
He added that beyond the trade of goods, many Chinese businesses are active investors in Cambodia, especially in special economic zones (SEZs).
“The trade imbalance exists because Cambodia imports a lot of raw materials from China for further processing before export. This volume will increase even more as Cambodia receives more export orders from developed countries,” he said.
He also encouraged Cambodia to actively seek products with high demand in the Chinese market to boost exports and narrow the trade gap.
According to the Ministry of Commerce, 2,921 Chinese enterprises registered with the ministry in 2024, up 20.65% from 2023. This increase reflects efforts from various stakeholders and working groups through business dialogues with provincial authorities and private sector representatives.
GDCE data showed that in 2024, total trade between Cambodia and China reached $15.19 billion, a 23.8% increase from 2023. Of that, Chinese imports were $13.44 billion, a 24.6% increase, while exports to China totalled $1.75 billion, an 18.4% increase.
