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China's Foreign and Defense Ministers Meet with Cambodian Counterparts in Joint '2+2' Dialogue
The ministers discussed deeper political and security ties and follow-up cooperation frameworks as China remains Cambodia’s largest investor and aid donor, officials said.
On Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang and Defense Minister Dong Jun met with Cambodian counterparts Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn and Defense Minister Tea Seiha in Phnom Penh for the nations' first "2+2" Strategic Dialogue Mechanism.
Chinese President proposed this initiative during his state visit last year to strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership, a format China previously initiated with Indonesia.
Suspicions persist regarding a Chinese-funded project at Ream Naval Base serving as a military outpost, though Cambodian officials deny these allegations and maintain the expansion was not hidden.
Wang is scheduled to hold in-depth discussions with Sokhonn on Thursday regarding cooperation frameworks, while both Chinese ministers will meet with Senate President Hun Sen and Prime Minister Hun Manet.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced Tuesday that Wang will travel to Thailand and Myanmar after concluding his visit to Cambodia, where Beijing remains the largest investor and aid donor.
On April 22, China and Cambodia held a "2+2" strategic dialogue in Phnom Penh, bringing together diplomatic and defense leaders. The event marked a new step forward in the strategic cooperation between the two countries.