Phnom Penh: The first group of 1,000 Chinese tourists, organized by the China Tourism Group, has arrived in Cambodia as the two nations officially launch the Cambodia-China Tourism Year 2025. This event is taking place from May 23 to 25 in Phnom Penh.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the Ministry of Tourism announced this milestone in a Facebook post on May 23, stating, "Welcome! The first group of one thousand Chinese tourists organized by China Tourism Group has arrived in the Kingdom of Cambodia on the occasion of the 'Cambodia-China Tourism Year 2025.'" The tourism year is a collaborative initiative by the Ministry of Tourism, the Chinese Embassy in Cambodia, and other related institutions. This follows the recent state visit of H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China, to Cambodia from April 17 to 18, 2025.
The official launch features a joint performance by Cambodian and Chinese artists at the Chaktomuk Conference Hall on the evening of May 23. Public celebrations will continue on May 24 and 25 in the Techo Meas and Techo Yort garden along the Chaktomuk riverside walking street.
In 2024, Cambodia saw the arrival of 848,952 Chinese visitors, which represents a 55 percent increase from the previous year. China is now the third-largest source of international tourists to Cambodia, following Thailand and Vietnam.
A further surge in Chinese tourist arrivals is anticipated in 2025, driven by the strong bilateral ties and Cambodia's increasing appeal as a travel destination. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese tourists were the leading group in the country's tourism arrivals.
According to the Ministry of Tourism, Cambodia expects to welcome more than 1 million Chinese visitors in 2025.