Cambodia, Hainan deepen trade ties through Free Trade Port

PHNOM PENH, July 6, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia and China’s Hainan Province have pledged to strengthen bilateral trade and investment by harnessing opportunities from the Hainan Free Trade Port, officials said Sunday.

The commitment was highlighted during talks between Lim Lork Piseth, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Commerce, and Zhang Bin, Director General of Hainan’s Department of Commerce.

Piseth pointed to expanding cooperation between the two institutions, citing export promotion agreements and initiatives that have reinforced economic ties. He stressed Cambodia’s potential to promote Khmer products internationally, improve export connectivity and link businesses to regional supply chains through the port.

Zhang praised the partnership and outlined Hainan’s strategy to develop the Free Trade Port as a gateway for global commerce. He introduced preferential policies designed to facilitate trade, improve logistics, support green industries and ease foreign investor access to the Chinese market.

Both sides agreed the port offers a vital platform for expanding commercial exchanges and creating new opportunities for Cambodian exporters and investors.

Official data show bilateral trade between Cambodia and China rose nearly 23 percent to more than US$9 billion in the first five months of 2026. China remains Cambodia’s largest trading partner and top investor, with trade reaching US$19.73 billion in 2025, including US$18 billion in imports.