AKP Phnom Penh, October 29, 2025 --

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet highlighted China's active role in ASEAN's energy transition, at the 28th ASEAN-China Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia yesterday.
 
Samdech Thipadei said China has contributed to advancing the ASEAN Power Grid through interconnections, cross-border trade frameworks and capacity-building programmes, and reaffirmed Cambodia's support for China's proposal to establish the ASEAN-China Clean Energy Cooperation Centre to build a secure, resilient, and low-carbon regional energy future.

The Cambodian Premier also underscored the importance of people-to-people exchanges as a foundation of the enduring ASEAN-China partnership, commended the progress under the ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges (2024-2025), and expressed strong support for establishing the ASEAN-China Tourism Ministers' Meeting.

Taking this opportunity, Samdech Thipadei expressed sincere gratitude to China for the steadfast support given to the ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand. He further stressed that China's facilitation of informal engagements has helped foster mutual trust and encouraged dialogue, reflecting the shared aspiration for lasting peace and regional stability.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, in the summit, the ASEAN and China Leaders welcomed the signing of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA) 3.0 Upgrade Protocol, which holds great potential to create new opportunities and respond to evolving trade dynamics. 

The Leaders reaffirmed the shared commitment to strengthening the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), which plays a significant role in maintaining peace, security, stability and prosperity in the region. The Leaders welcomed the adoption of the new Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-China CSP for Peace and Prosperity (2026-2030), and China's proposal to designate the year 2026 as the ASEAN-China Year on the Fifth Anniversary of the CSP.

By Heng Panha