The second meeting of the China-Cambodia Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA) Joint Commission was held in Beijing on November 18. Li Chenggang, China’s International Trade Representative and Vice Minister of Commerce, met with the Cambodian delegation.

Li stated that the CCFTA stands as a significant testament to the long-standing traditional friendship between the two nations. He noted that since its implementation, the CCFTA has effectively boosted bilateral economic and trade cooperation and played a crucial role in helping Cambodia accelerate its industrialization process and upgrade its industrial and supply chains. He emphasized that the two sides should cherish this important achievement, fully implement the commitments under the FTA, and further explore ways to deepen FTA cooperation to bring more benefits to businesses and peoples of the two countries.

Li also said that China welcomes see Cambodia’s negotiation of economic and trade agreements with other countries, including the United States. Still, he stressed that no such agreement should affect global trade development and regional cooperation, or harm China’s interests. He hoped that Cambodia would proceed from its own long-term interests, fully consider and properly address the concerns of all relevant parties.

The meeting reviewed and assessed the implementation of the CCFTA, had in-depth discussions on issues of mutual interest, and made arrangements for future work. Additionally, the two sides also exchanged views on their recent respective engagements in negotiating and signing economic and trade agreements with other trading partners. The Cambodian side provided explanations and clarifications regarding issues raised by China.