Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Apr 17 (LaPresse/AP) – Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Cambodia on Thursday for a two-day state visit that is an opportunity to further strengthen the already strong relations between the two countries. The visit, Xi's first since 2016, will conclude a three-country tour of Southeast Asia that has included stops in Vietnam and Malaysia. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet recently described Beijing as ‘an important and indispensable friend of Cambodia that has helped support the country's economic and social development’. Xi was welcomed at the airport in the Cambodian capital Phrom Penh by King Norodom Sihamoni. During his visit, Xi will also meet Prime Minister Hun Manet and Senate President Hun Sen, Hun Manet's father and his predecessor as prime minister. Trade is likely to be one of the main topics of Xi's discussions in Cambodia, which faces some of the higher tariffs proposed by Washington. In addition to the 10% universal tariff imposed by Trump, the country is likely to face a 49% tax on exports to the US once the 90-day moratorium expires. In addition to discussions on strengthening bilateral relations and regional and international issues, several cooperation agreements in various fields are expected to be signed. In both countries, Xi stressed the importance of strengthening ties, particularly in trade and investment, amid global economic uncertainty and trade tensions with the US. He stressed the need to oppose unilateralism and protectionism and to support the multilateral trading system. China is Cambodia's largest trading partner, with trade volume exceeding $15 billion in 2024 and accounting for almost 30 per cent of Cambodia's total trade volume, albeit to Beijing's great advantage.