CHINA’S President Xi Jinping completed a two-day state visit to Cambodia today, capping a three-nation tour that included stops in Vietnam and Malaysia.

The visits come as the three south-east Asian countries are facing economic challenges from United States President Donald Trump’s tariff proposals.

Cambodia faces the threat of a total of 59 per cent tariffs on exports to the US once his 90-day pause expires. For Vietnam, the tariff would be 46 per cent, and for Malaysia, 24 per cent.

China is the only country to be excluded from the 90-day pause. Instead, the Chinese are being hit with tariffs of up to 245 per cent on goods it wishes to export to the US.

A summary of the visit issued today by Cambodia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry barely mentioned the trade crisis, focusing instead on bilateral relations.

The statement said: “This milestone visit not only reaffirmed the unwavering commitment to the iron-clad friendship between Cambodia and China, but also further strengthened and deepened the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and win-win co-operation between the two countries.”

During his stay, President Xi was granted a royal audience by King Norodom Sihamoni, and held meetings with Prime Minister Hun Manet and Senate President Hun Sen, who is Hun Manet’s father and predecessor as prime minister.

The visit was President Xi’s first to Cambodia since 2016.

President Xi and Hun Manet also presided over the signing of 37 documents covering investment, trade, education, finance, information, youth work, agriculture, health, water resources, tourism, women’s affairs and other subjects.

Cambodia’s rapid growth in recent decades has been fuelled largely by Beijing.

China has been Cambodia’s largest trading partner for 13 consecutive years, with two-way trade in 2024 worth around £14 billion.

It has also been Cambodia’s largest source of foreign investment for 13 consecutive years, as well as a major aid donor.

The Cambodian Foreign Ministry statement said: “The Cambodian side reiterated its resolute adherence to the one-China policy and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory.

“Cambodia also expressed opposition to any attempts of interference in the internal affairs of China” — a reference to foreign sponsorship of separatists in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

The statement also said “both sides acknowledged the global threat posed by climate change and committed to strengthening environmental protection and advancing clean energy collaboration.”

The statement also made reference to China’s help in dealing with Cambodia’s problem of clearing land mines left over from armed conflicts decades ago, and co-operation in the health sector.