Steadfast friend: Philippines commits to strengthening ties with Cambodia

During his meeting with Cambodia’s Foreign Minister, Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening its ties with Cambodia, underscoring the importance of continuous dialogue and cooperation within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

According to a statement from the Philippines Presidential Communication Office, during a meeting at Malacañang Palace on Tuesday with Sok Chenda Sophea, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Marcos highlighted the long-standing relationship between the two nations and expressed optimism about further enhancing bilateral relations.

“I hope we can continue this. We will foster this relationship and continue to improve the relationship that we have had for many, many years,” the President said.

Marcos also noted that the Philippines continues to pursue partnerships and cooperation with other allied states worldwide, highlighting the significance of multilateral diplomacy in addressing global challenges.

Chenda Sophea’s visit marks his first official bilateral engagement with an ASEAN country as the head of delegation and Cambodian Foreign Affairs Minister.

His visit to the Philippines is primarily to co-chair the 4th Meeting of the Cambodia-Philippines Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC).

The meeting, hosted at the invitation of Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo, is a pivotal event aimed at reviewing the progress made in bilateral agreements since the 3rd JCBC meeting in December 2021.

The two-day meeting is expected to cover a wide range of topics, including trade, investment, cultural exchange, education, and defence cooperation, reflecting the comprehensive nature of the partnership between the Philippines and Cambodia.

Since the resumption of diplomatic relations in 1995, the Philippines and Cambodia have maintained cordial and cooperative ties. Both countries have actively participated in regional and international platforms, contributing to ASEAN’s collective goals of peace, stability, and prosperity.

However, historical records indicate commercial interactions between Cambodia and Spanish Manila during the seventeenth century. Cambodia served as a key supplier of high-quality timber, essential for boat building in Manila. When the French colonised Indochina, liberating the Kingdom of Cambodia from Thai control and re-establishing the Cambodian royal family under French protection, Spanish-Filipino soldiers were among the forces that joined the French in their conquest of Indochina.

Chheng Kimlong, President of the Asian Vision Institute (AVI), observed that the relationship between Cambodia, the Philippines, and other ASEAN member countries has grown stronger in the current mandate. He attributed this improvement to new agreements, the recruitment of additional strategic partners, and an increase in activities aimed at enhancing bilateral relations.

During a diplomatic reception held in Phnom Penh to mark the 126th anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence and the 67th anniversary of Philippines-Cambodia diplomatic relations last month, Ambassador Flerida Ann Camille P. Mayo of the Philippines emphasised the deepening ties between the two nations and highlighted the growing economic and cultural cooperation that has brought the two ASEAN members closer together.

Ambassador Mayo underscored the significance of economic collaboration, particularly in areas such as trade, investments, tourism, agriculture, connectivity, energy, and science and technology.

She attributed these growing partnerships to the leadership of both countries, referencing the meetings between and Prime Minister Hun Manet in 2023 and 2024. These meetings, held in Jakarta and Melbourne, have laid the groundwork for these thematic priorities.

“These are among the thematic priorities emanating from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Prime Minister Hun Manet themselves,” Ambassador Mayo said. “Our leaders have paved the way for deeper cooperation in key sectors, and we are already seeing the positive impact on both our nations.”

The Ambassador expressed satisfaction with the performance of Filipino companies in Cambodia, noting their competitiveness in the domestic market, particularly in the sectors of pharmaceuticals, healthcare, construction, and food and beverages. The presence of these companies is a testament to the strong economic ties between the two countries.

Ambassador Mayo also highlighted the robust air connectivity between the two nations, with Philippine Airlines operating direct flights between Manila and Phnom Penh four times weekly. This connectivity has facilitated not just trade and tourism but also people-to-people exchanges, further strengthening bilateral relations.

The Ambassador pointed out that Filipino professionals, including teachers, aviation experts, engineers, and technical consultants, continue to play a significant role in Cambodia’s capacity-building efforts. At the same time, Cambodian scholars benefit from postgraduate programmes at the Philippines’ top universities, ensuring a steady flow of knowledge and expertise between the two countries.

“We remain supportive of each other’s multilateral initiatives, including the upcoming International Conference on Women, Peace, and Security in Manila this October,” Ambassador Mayo added. She also noted that both nations’ membership in ASEAN has been a critical factor in enhancing their diplomatic and economic ties.

To date, there are more than 7,000 Filipinos living and working in Cambodia, most of whom belong to the skilled labour sector, based on the latest data from the Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh.