AKP Phnom Penh, May 23, 2025 --

The first group of 1,000 Chinese tourists, organised by the China Tourism Group, has arrived in Cambodia as the two nations officially launch the Cambodia-China Tourism Year 2025, taking place from May 23 to 25 in Phnom Penh.

“Welcome! The first group of one thousand Chinese tourists organised by China Tourism Group has arrived in the Kingdom of Cambodia on the occasion of the ‘Cambodia-China Tourism Year 2025,’” the Ministry of Tourism announced in a Facebook post on May 23.

The tourism year is a joint activity by the Ministry of Tourism, the Chinese Embassy in Cambodia, and other relevant institutions. It follows the recent state visit of H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, to Cambodia from April 17 to 18, 2025.

The official launch includes a joint performance by Cambodian and Chinese artists at the Chaktomuk Conference Hall on the evening of May 23. Public celebrations will continue on May 24 and 25 in the Techo Meas and Techo Yort garden along the Chaktomuk riverside walking street.

In 2024, Cambodia welcomed 848,952 Chinese visitors, marking a 55 percent increase from the previous year. China is now the third-largest source of international tourists to Cambodia, following Thailand and Vietnam.

A further surge in Chinese tourist arrivals is anticipated in 2025, driven by the strong bilateral ties and Cambodia’s growing appeal as a travel destination. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese tourists topped the country’s tourism arrivals.

According to the Ministry of Tourism, Cambodia expects to welcome more than 1 million Chinese visitors in 2025.

By Chea Vannak