(Phnom Penh): Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen’s three-day official goodwill visit to China has drawn significant attention not only in Cambodia, China and the wider region, but also in Thailand, where the visit has been closely watched by political observers, media outlets and the public.
The visit has generated interest in Thailand amid ongoing border tensions between Cambodia and Thailand, with many observers viewing China as an influential regional actor whose position could have implications for the situation.
Samdech Techo Hun Sen is widely regarded by Thai political circles as an influential Cambodian leader whose statements and political messages are closely monitored and frequently debated in Thailand, particularly on matters related to diplomacy and bilateral relations.
Thai journalists have also raised questions with Thai Prime Minister Anutin about whether Samdech Techo Hun Sen’s visit to China could affect the current Cambodia–Thailand border dispute.
In response, Anutin reportedly described Senate President Hun Sen’s visit as a normal trip and noted that he himself is scheduled to travel to China in July.
However, the nature of Samdech Techo’s visit differs significantly from an ordinary international trip, according to the article’s assessment.
It is uncommon for a former head of government to receive repeated official invitations to visit another country after leaving office. Since stepping down as Cambodia’s Prime Minister, Samdech Techo Hun Sen has been invited to visit China twice: first in 2024 and again in 2026.
His current visit is regarded as a reflection of the high value placed on Cambodia–China relations by Chinese leaders. The invitation was extended directly by Xi Jinping in his capacity as General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.
During the visit, Samdech Techo Hun Sen was received by several of China’s highest-ranking leaders, including Xi Jinping, who is also President of China; Chinese Premier Li Qiang; Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress; and Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.
The meetings reflected a high-level protocol similar to that typically accorded to visiting national leaders.
Samdech Techo Hun Sen has played a key role in strengthening Cambodia–China relations, continuing the diplomatic legacy of the late King-Father Norodom Sihanouk. Over the years, Cambodia and China have expanded cooperation across a wide range of sectors and built a relationship based on long-standing trust and mutual confidence.
Chinese leaders reportedly viewed Samdech Techo Hun Sen’s visit as that of a trusted and longstanding friend, and as an opportunity to further strengthen political trust and cooperation between Cambodia and China.
By contrast, Anutin’s planned visit to China in July is expected to focus on participation in an international artificial intelligence forum attended by leaders from many countries. As such, it cannot be directly compared with Samdech Techo Hun Sen’s official goodwill visit, which was conducted at the highest level through a direct invitation from Chinese leadership.
=FRESH NEWS
