On January 20-21, the first round negotiation of China-Cambodia FTA was held in Beijing. Assistant Minister of Commerce Ren Hongbin and Cambodia State Secretary of Commerce Sok Sopheak jointly attended the opening ceremony and announced the official launch of China-Cambodia FTA negotiation. During the two-day meeting, the two parties had substantial negotiation on trade in goods, rules of origin, customs procedures and trade facilitation, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, investment cooperation, trade in services, transparency, economic and technical cooperation, cooperation under “Belt and Road” Initiative, electronic commerce and related legal matters. 

According to the consensus reached by the leaders of China and Cambodia, the two parties had completed the joint feasibility research by the end of 2019. The conclusion of the joint feasibility research was positive, which also suggested the start of the negotiation. The signing of China-Cambodia FTA is a specific measure to deepen bilateral economic and trade connection, to develop bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership and to promote the joint construction of China-Cambodia community with a shared future, which shows the traditional amity and profound friendship between China and Cambodia.