Chongqing - In recent years, Chongqing has seized the opportunity to accelerate building the city into a Center for International Exchanges in Central and Western China, continuously integrating and expanding foreign affairs resources.

The city has increased efforts to invite foreign entities and expand its presence globally. As a result, Chongqing's international network has grown, fostering broader exchanges with sister cities, solidifying partnerships, and paving the way for a wider path of friendship.

On January 29, 2014, Chongqing Municipality signed an agreement with the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh. Phnom Penh became the second foreign capital to establish a sister city relationship with Chongqing.

As the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh lies on the west bank of the Mekong River. It serves as Cambodia's political, economic, cultural, transportation, trade, religious, and other centers. It is also a beautiful historical city with tourist attractions such as the Royal Palace, Wat Phnom, Silver Pagoda, Independence Monument, and the National Museum.

In April 2008, a delegation from Chongqing visited Phnom Penh, engaging in extensive exchanges and discussions to strengthen cooperation between the two cities in agriculture, technology, machinery, tourism, and hydropower.

From late February to early March 2012, the Phnom Penh Capital Hall led a delegation to Chongqing to discuss advancing friendly city relations between the two Cities.

In November 2018, a delegation from Chongqing visited Phnom Penh and met with Phnom Penh governor Khuong Sreng.

In September 2019, Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia, visited Chongqing.

Trade and Logistics

In 2018, the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor(ILSTC) rail-sea intermodal trains and cross-border road buses to Cambodia were opened.

By the end of December 2023, Chongqing had transported 2,523 standard containers worth 804 million yuan(about $111 million) to Cambodia via the ILSTC rail-sea intermodal trains. These containers mainly contained aluminum coils, compound fertilizers, and Cambodian fragrant rice. Eight cross-border road buses were also shipped with goods worth 2 million yuan, including equipment and daily necessities.

Currently, three cooperative overseas distribution centers in Cambodia are located in Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville.

In January 2024, Chongqing resumed regular flights to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, becoming the 9th regular passenger route opened by Chongqing to RCEP countries.

Trade Exchange

In September 2007, relevant departments and enterprises from Chongqing formed an economic and trade delegation to visit Phnom Penh and engage in economic and trade exchange activities with relevant departments and enterprises in Cambodia.

In March 2012, the Chongqing Municipal Government organized the "Enter ASEAN - Chongqing Economic and Trade Inspection Team" to visit Cambodia.

In November 2023, Samheng Bora, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Commerce, led a delegation to Chongqing to attend the 2023 Sichuan-Chongqing Region of China and Mekong Countries Sub-National Cooperation Forum. The two places actively promoted cooperation in agricultural products, automobiles, electronic product trade, tourism, and other fields, and they jointly promoted deep and solid local cooperation among Lancang-Mekong countries.

Cultural and Educational Exchange

In October 2021, the Deputy Mayor of Phnom Penh attended and spoke at the Lancang-Mekong Mayor Forum on Culture and Tourism held in Chongqing.

In April 2023, the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Week and the International Design Competition for Lancang-Mekong Cooperation were held in Chongqing's Bishan District. Representatives from the Royal University of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, sent a congratulatory video.

The Battambang Institute of Technology and the Cambodian Institute for Student Development Research were among the first Cambodian institutions selected for the ILSTC Vocational Education Cooperation Alliance.

Source: Foreign Affairs Office of Chongqing Municipal People's Government