Cambodia announces plans to build a Cambodian cultural village in Beijing which will be completed soon and more trade centres in different Chinese provinces with their diplomatic and trade ties with the East Asian giant at an all-time high.

China, Minister of Commerce Pan Sorasak during the opening of this year’s China-Cambodia Business Forum in Tianjin on Wednesday, said that the new trade centres will help build engagement with Chinese business people and investors.

Recently a trade center in Xi’an in Guangzhou province is open and they will continue to open more of these in other Chinese provinces to promote investment and disseminate information for the benefit of Chinese business people and investors interested in exploring opportunities in Cambodia, he said.

China is the biggest investor into the Cambodian economy. In 2016, Chinese investors put 5.1 billion in key sectors of the Cambodian economy, including manufacturing, textile and electricity.

Mey Kalyan, senior advisor to the Supreme National Economic Council, said that the relationship between both countries, including the private sectors, has improved significantly in recent times.

China has played a crucial role in Cambodia’s development through its development assistance program. Their ODA has contributed to their economy very efficiently.

Cambodian exports to China rose sharply during the first 11 months of 2017, by as much as 18 percent compared to the same period in 2016.