Cambodia, China Step Up Customs Cooperation to Boost Trade

PHNOM PENH, June 4, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia and China have pledged to deepen customs cooperation to strengthen trade facilitation and regional connectivity, officials said Wednesday.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Aun Pornmoniroth met Chinese Customs Minister Sun Meijun in Phnom Penh on the sidelines of the 24th China–ASEAN Customs Dialogue and the 35th ASEAN Customs Directors‑General Meeting hosted by Cambodia from June 2–4. Chinese Ambassador Wang Wenbin also attended.

Pornmoniroth praised longstanding cooperation between the two customs administrations, citing China’s support in technical assistance, human resource development, institutional strengthening and smart customs initiatives, including the use of artificial intelligence. He said these efforts contribute to expanding connectivity among Cambodia, China and ASEAN states.

Meijun briefed the Cambodian side on the dialogue’s outcomes, noting ASEAN and China agreed to issue a joint statement. She said Cambodia and China will sign a Mutual Recognition Agreement on the Authorized Economic Operator program on June 4, aimed at facilitating bilateral trade.

Both sides discussed ways to boost trade amid global uncertainties, with Pornmoniroth outlining Cambodia’s new customs measures to improve revenue collection and support livelihoods. He noted Cambodia–China trade under their free trade agreement recorded strong growth in early 2026.

Meijun highlighted efforts to expand imports of Cambodian farm products, including bananas and durians, and called for faster integration of Cambodia’s National Single Window and electronic certificate of origin systems.

Cambodia’s customs department said bilateral trade reached more than $5 billion from January to March, up 26.8 percent year‑on‑year. Total trade in 2025 stood at $19.73 billion, underscoring China’s role as one of Cambodia’s largest partners.