Cambodia–China relations

The bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Cambodia and the People's Republic of China have been marked by close economic, political and security cooperation.

The first contacts between China and the Khmer Empire occurred in the Tang period in the 9th century after it was unified in 802 AD by Jayavarman II. Cambodia maintained relations with the Ming dynasty during the final years of the Khmer Empire when Ponhea Yat dispatched a minister to establish formal diplomatic ties. During the Cold War, the People's Republic of China supported the Khmer Rouge during the Cambodian Civil War against Lon Nol's regime. China also fostered good relations with Cambodian Prince Norodom Sihanouk, who also backed the Khmer Rouge. After Khmer Rouge victory, China provided extensive economic aid to the new government and emerged as Democratic Kampuchea's closest ally. When the Vietnamese military invaded Cambodia in 1978, China condemned Vietnam and waged a brief border war against Vietnam in 1979 to compel it to withdraw from Cambodia. China refused to recognize the People's Republic of Kampuchea established by Vietnam, recognizing the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea government in exile instead.

Relations were normalized following the 1991 Paris Peace Agreements and the restoration of the Kingdom of Cambodia. Since 1997, China cultivated close ties with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and his government. Since then, China provided extensive economic, military and political support to Cambodia, while also providing the country with foreign aid. Cambodia has emerged as a close ally of China among ASEAN countries, and supporting China regarding territorial disputes in the South China Sea as well as China's internal politics. Cambodia adheres to the one China principle and considers Taiwan to be "an inalienable part" of China.