China-Cambodia trade hits record high in Q1

China's trade with Cambodia reached a record 33.33 billion yuan (approximately 4.6 billion U.S. dollars) in the first quarter of this year, continuing a six-quarter growth streak, according to Chinese customs data.

The surge highlights deepening economic ties between the two nations, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, automotive, and textiles.

In Q1, China imported 980 million yuan worth of agricultural products from Cambodia, marking a 12.2-percent increase. Cambodian specialty produce is increasingly appearing on Chinese dinner tables.

Meanwhile, bilateral industrial cooperation is expanding. China exported to Cambodia 840 million yuan worth of automobiles, and 100 million yuan of lithium batteries, up up 183.7 percent and 465.7 percent respectively, reflecting the countries' growing complementarity in auto manufacturing.

China's textile exports to Cambodia also climbed to 10.14 billion yuan, a 17.7 percent year-on-year rise, continuing seven consecutive quarters of growth. At the same time, apparel and related imports from Cambodia rose 5.2 percent to 790 million yuan.

Cambodia was the first country to sign an action plan with China to build a community of shared future, and the outlook for bilateral trade remains strong.

Lyu Peng, project manager of the Cambodia (Haikou) Commercial Center, who has been deeply involved in bilateral trade, said he has witnessed firsthand the rapid development of China-Cambodia cooperation in recent years. He emphasized that this cooperation has had a profound impact on the economic and social development of both countries.

"China has been Cambodia's largest source of investment and trading partner for 13 consecutive years, yielding fruitful cooperation results. As a member of the Cambodia Business Center, I have had the privilege to participate in and witness the progress of these projects firsthand, experiencing the vitality and potential of China-Cambodia cooperation. Looking ahead, I firmly believe that this partnership will continue to grow and deepen, creating more opportunities and achievements across various fields," said Lyu.

"China's strong support and institutional advantages have played a key role in promoting mutual benefit and win-win cooperation between our countries. China actively advances the Belt and Road Initiative, which aligns closely with Cambodia’s Pentagonal Strategy. This cooperation drives industrial development and generates numerous job opportunities. Additionally, China offers many trade preferential policies to Cambodia, including a zero-tariff policy covering about 8,960 tariff items for 43 countries, Cambodia among them. This policy facilitates easier access for Cambodian agricultural products, handicrafts, and other goods to the Chinese market, boosting Cambodia’s export trade and economic growth," he said.

China has remained Cambodia's largest trading partner for over a decade. Bilateral trade between the two countries exceeded 15 billion dollars last year, marking a nearly 24 percent year-on-year increase.

According to the Cambodian Ministry of Commerce, the number of registered Chinese enterprises in Cambodia rose by nearly 21 percent to around 3,000. With stronger bilateral cooperation, China's central bank has actively promoted the use of local currencies in trade. In 2017, the yuan-Cambodian riel regional trading was launched in China's interbank foreign exchange market. The move established a direct exchange rate between the two currencies.

In 2023, the People's Bank of China and the National Bank of Cambodia signed a memorandum of cooperation, designating the Bank of China's Phnom Penh branch as the yuan clearing bank in Cambodia. The People's Bank of China plans to further enhance cross-border yuan usage policies to facilitate smoother bilateral trade and investment.

China-Cambodia trade hits record high in Q1

China-Cambodia trade hits record high in Q1

China-Cambodia trade hits record high in Q1

A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.

Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.

In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.

"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.

Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.

In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.

"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.

By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.

After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.

"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.

Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.

As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.

Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media