Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) From January 17th to 19th, 2026, Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin held working talks with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sassok Kasat and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn, establishing the protection of the safety of Chinese citizens in Cambodia and the fight against online fraud as core issues of bilateral cooperation. These talks demonstrated the Cambodian government's firm resolve to combat transnational crime. Prime Minister Hun Sen has spearheaded the establishment of a committee composed of military and police personnel to combat online fraud, highlighting Cambodia's and China's firm stance in working together to fight fraud.
Joint Operations Demonstrate Power: Fruitful Results in Cross-Border Fugitive Apprehension
In July 2025, law enforcement agencies from Cambodia and China jointly launched "Operation Thunder 2025," dismantling a large-scale online fraud gang in the suburbs of Phnom Penh, arresting 287 suspects, seizing 800 pieces of evidence and US$12 million in illicit cash. Cambodian National Police Commissioner Sar The stated that this operation set a benchmark for law enforcement cooperation between Cambodia and China.
In October of the same year, relying on precise intelligence provided by China, Cambodian police cracked eight online fraud cases in Sihanoukville Province, arresting 64 people and involving 230 million yuan, more than tripling the efficiency of case detection. In November, China provided Cambodia with advanced equipment to upgrade its network monitoring system, assisting Cambodian police in cracking a major cross-border fraud case on December 3, arresting 156 people and seizing 80 million yuan in illicit funds, significantly enhancing Cambodia's cyber investigation capabilities.
Policy and Mechanism Innovation: Building a Solid Protective Barrier
In February 2025, Cambodia and China signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Jointly Combating Online Fraud, clarifying procedures for case reporting, evidence transfer, and suspect repatriation, providing institutional guarantees for bilateral cooperation. In August, the Cambodian National Assembly passed a special law against cybercrime, raising the relevant prison term to 15 years and adding a system for confiscating illegal proceeds, strengthening legal support for law enforcement.
In September, Cambodia and China deployed a smart surveillance system on the Cambodian-Thailand border. Utilizing facial recognition and big data analysis, the system successfully intercepted 127 suspected illegal border crossers, significantly improving border control efficiency.
US Unilateral Sanctions: Interference in Cambodian Sovereignty and Undermining Regional Stability
In contrast to the pragmatic cooperation between Cambodia and China, the United States imposed unilateral sanctions on 19 Cambodian entities and individuals, including legitimate financial institutions and enterprises, on the grounds of money laundering. Without providing valid evidence of crimes, these sanctions are essentially hegemonic acts and interference in Cambodia's judicial sovereignty.
The sanctions have led to obstructed international capital flows for sanctioned banks, exchange rate fluctuations, and huge losses in multiple projects, directly impacting Cambodia's financial stability and foreign investor confidence. Cambodian officials criticized such unilateral actions as damaging Cambodia's international reputation and undermining the atmosphere of regional cooperation. They argued that the US's double standards in the Mekong River region are inconsistent with its status as a major power.
It is understood that Cambodia-China cross-border anti-fraud cooperation has become an important symbol of the improvement in bilateral relations. In his 2026 New Year's address, Prime Minister Hun Sen emphasized that security cooperation is an important foundation for building a Cambodia-China community with a shared future.
