Phnom Penh: The Kingdom of Cambodia and the People's Republic of China have officially launched the 'Cambodia-China Tourism Year 2025' in Phnom Penh, setting a strategic initiative to enhance tourism cooperation between the two nations.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the launching ceremony, held on May 23 at the Chaktomuk Conference Hall, was presided over by H.E. Vongsey Vissoth, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in Charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers, and H.E. Xu Kunlin, Governor of Jiangsu province, China. The event was attended by high-profile officials, including H.E. Huot Hak, Minister of Tourism; H.E. Ek Sam Ol, President of the Cambodia-China Friendship Association; and H.E. Wang Wenbin, Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia, along with representatives from tourism sectors of both countries.
H.E. Huot Hak expressed that the 'Cambodia-China Tourism Year 2025' is projected to be pivotal in attracting more Chinese tourists to Cambodia, significantly boosting tourism and cultural exchanges. This campaign stems from an agreement during President H.E. Xi Jinping's state visit to Cambodia in April 2025, where both governments decided to designate 2025 as the 'Cambodia-China Tourism Year.'
The initiative aligns with China's Belt and Road Initiative and aims to foster a 'Cambodia-China Community with a Shared Future in the New Era.' It also supports the framework of Cambodia-China diamond cooperation, focusing on stability and sustainability.
Chinese Ambassador H.E. Wang Wenbin highlighted that the tourism campaign will invigorate the longstanding friendship between Cambodia and China. He extended an invitation to Cambodian visitors to explore China's ancient allure, modern progress, and hospitality.
The event featured artistic performances by Cambodian and Chinese artists under the theme 'Charming Jiangsu, Colourful Cambodia.' H.E. Huot Hak noted that Cambodia welcomed 2.4 million international tourists in the first four months of 2025, a 14 percent increase from the previous year, with over 380,000 being Chinese tourists, marking a 49 percent year-on-year increase.
To sustain this growth, the Ministry of Tourism aims to develop innovative tourism products and improve existing destinations. The ministry targets welcoming 7.5 million international tourists in 2025, urging stakeholders to elevate Cambodia's global tourism appeal. In 2024, Cambodia saw approximately 6.7 million international tourists, a 22 percent rise from 2023, with 850,000 being Chinese visitors, reflecting a 55 percent increase from the previous year.