ISTANBUL

China Thursday slammed “deliberate vilification” of its ties with Cambodia, rejecting reports about cooperation projects being “stalled.”

“We firmly believe that the iron-clad friendship between China and Cambodia will steer clear of disruptions. We will not allow any deliberate vilification against our friendship and any rumor-monger shall bear legal responsibility and consequences,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a news conference in Beijing.

The reaction came after some media reports claimed Cambodian leaders are taking sides between China, and the US, and that major cooperation projects between China and Cambodia are stalling.

He noted that China is “Cambodia’s biggest source of foreign investment and biggest trading partner for years running,” highlighting the “Diamond Hexagon” cooperation framework, the Industrial Development Corridor, and the “Fish and Rice Corridor,” between the two countries.

Last December, a US warship visited Cambodia for the first time in eight years.

It is also alleged that China has a military base in Cambodia.

Recently, Cambodia became one of the countries being affected by the USAID suspension, like the mine clearance project for which the US had declared over $10 million in assistance last October.

After the suspension, China pledged a $4.4 million fund starting from next month, according to the Phnom Penh Post daily.

The trade between China and Cambodia reached over $15 billion in 2024, which amounted to approximately 30% of Cambodia's total trade volume.