AKP Phnom Penh, October 16, 2025 --

The Cambodian province of Preah Sihanouk and Wuxi city of China's Jiangsu province have committed to deepening their partnership across key sectors including trade, tourism, and infrastructure, following a high-level meeting on Wednesday.

The discussions, held between H.E. Mang Sineth, Governor of Preah Sihanouk province, and Mr. Du Xiao Gang, Secretary of the Wuxi City Party Committee, focused on advancing bilateral cooperation under a framework established by the leaders of both nations.

Governor Mang Sineth detailed the strategic development plans for Preah Sihanouk, a southwestern coastal province poised to become a multi-purpose special economic zone. He highlighted the region's robust connectivity, which includes three international ports, major national roads, an expressway, and an international airport.

A key infrastructure project, the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, is undergoing a significant expansion from 2024 to 2030 to accommodate larger vessels. The governor also emphasised the Royal Government's special investment promotion programme for the province, which offers incentives such as tax holidays and streamlined administrative procedures to attract foreign investors.

The existing cooperation between Preah Sihanouk and Wuxi has already yielded tangible results, including the construction of a school building funded by China’s Jiangsu province and increased direct flight connectivity.

“This year presents an ideal opportunity to expand our cooperation in economy, trade, culture, and education,” said Mr. Du Xiao Gang. 

He affirmed Wuxi’s support for the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone and expressed a desire for more direct flights and maritime routes to facilitate trade and tourism.

A significant outcome of the meeting was the signing of a letter of intent to establish sister-city relations between Kampong Som City in Preah Sihanouk province and Xishan district of Wuxi city, signaling a new chapter in local-level diplomatic and economic exchange.

By K. Rithy Reak