Cambodia–China Student Dialogue 2026

Cambodian and Chinese Youth Share Perspectives on the Role of Leadership in Strengthening Youth in Building a Community with a Shared Future

Thursday, 25th June 2026, the Youth House for Cambodia-China Friendship Office

The Cambodia–China Student Dialogue 2026, under the theme "Engaging Youth in Building a Community with a Shared Future", was jointly organized by the Youth House for Cambodia–China Friendship and the China Foundation for Peace and Development (CFPD). The event brought together approximately 60 Cambodian and Chinese students from the Institute of Foreign Languages of the Royal University of Phnom Penh, Cam-ASEAN, Cambodia–China University of Technology and Science, Doun Hua University, and the Confucius Institute of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, as well as Chinese exchange students from Honghe University currently exchanging at the Institute of Foreign Languages, Royal University of Phnom Penh.

The program commenced with welcoming remarks by Mr. Seang Sopagna, Deputy Secretary-General of the Youth House for Cambodia-China Friendship. He encouraged young participants to deepen their understanding of the longstanding friendship between Cambodia and China; the vision of building a Cambodia–China Community with a Shared Future, and the key cooperation frameworks, including the Diamond Cooperation Framework, the Fish and Rice Corridor, and the Industrial and Technology Corridor. He emphasised that these initiatives provide a strong foundation for further strengthening bilateral friendship, relations, and cooperation.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Wang Zhiquan, Counsellor of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Cambodia, encouraged youth to become the successors of the traditional friendship between Cambodia and China and to uphold the two countries' "Ironclad Friendship". He called on young people to actively promote practical cooperation by taking advantage of opportunities in trade, technology, tourism, and other sectors. He also stressed that youth should serve as a bridge connecting the hearts of the two peoples. The Chinese Embassy remains committed to working closely with the Cambodia–China Friendship Youth House to support youth exchanges and strengthen cooperation between Cambodian and Chinese youth.

Dr. Kou Hongjiang, Vice President of Beijing Technology and Business University (BTBU), delivered a keynote speech entitled "Youth Leadership and Future Opportunities." He highlighted that, "When the youth are strong, the nation will prosper." He further noted that China will continue expanding scholarship opportunities for Cambodian students to pursue higher education in China, enabling them to strengthen their capacities and become future leaders in both the public and private sectors.

During the dialogue, participants were divided into six mixed Cambodian–Chinese groups to discuss major topics related to youth leadership, including digital influence, entrepreneurship, gender equality, education, skills development, and the role of youth in Cambodia–China cooperation. Following productive and engaging discussions, each group presented its findings and proposed practical solutions to the identified challenges. Their recommendations included expanding youth exchange and cooperation opportunities between Cambodia and China, establishing youth-led platforms for dialogue and collaboration, implementing leadership development and capacity-building programs, and strengthening long-term networks among Cambodian and Chinese youth.

The group presentations reflected the shared commitment of young people from both countries to enhancing their leadership capacities, deepening mutual understanding, and contributing to closer Cambodia–China relations and cooperation.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Kong Pitou, International Relations Manager, reaffirmed that the Youth House for Cambodia–China Friendship will continue organizing this dialogue to promote meaningful youth participation, cultivate the next generation of leaders, and provide a platform for Cambodian and Chinese youth to showcase their potential while working together toward building a Cambodia–China Community with a Shared Future.