Senate president Hun Sen (centre) visits the Diriyah Gate in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on December 8. SHS
Senate president Hun Sen is leading a high-level delegation on official visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the goal of strengthening ties and cooperation between their respective legislative institutions.
Analysts have highlighted the importance of these visits in both economic and political dimensions, particularly as Cambodia faces accusations of leaning too heavily toward a single great power, China.
According to a Senate press release, Hun Sen’s December 8 to 14 visitbegan in Saudi Arabia, where he arrived on December 8. During the tour, he will meet with parliamentary leaders, as well as the prime ministers or presidentsof the four countries.
The Senate explained that the tour underscores the growing significance and active role of parliamentary diplomacy, which is a priority for the Senate's fifth legislative term under his leadership.
“The visit aims to enhance and expand friendship, solidarity and cooperation between Cambodia’s legislative body and those of its partner countries, benefiting the people and national development,” added the release.
Upon his arrival in Saudi Arabia, Hun Sen visited Diriyah Gate and Al-Bujairi Heritage Village in Riyadh on December 8 and also met with Cambodian students studying there today, December 9.
Currently, bilateral trade between Cambodia and these countries remains modest and does not place them among Cambodia's top 20 trading partners.
Hong Vanak, an economic researcher at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, noted that although trade volumes are small, these countries contribute to Cambodia’s economy in sectors such as agriculture, halal food and job markets, particularly for Cambodian Muslims. Additionally, tourists from these regions also visit Cambodia.
“These countries are oil-rich and members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), meaning they are wealthy nations. Given their arid landscapes, Cambodia should focus on exporting agricultural products to these markets,” he suggested.
“Since these countries lack agricultural goods such as rice, food supplies and vegetables, which Cambodia has the potential to produce, we should seize this market opportunity. Moreover, the distance is not too far as we are both in Asia. Free trade agreements with these countries could be beneficial,” he added.
Regarding tourism, Vanak remarked, “Many Cambodians are interested in visiting destinations such as Dubai and other parts of the UAE. With multiple weekly Qatar Airways flights to Cambodia, the tourism sector has potential. We should also encourage tourists from these regions to visit Cambodia.”
Kin Phea, director of the International Relations Institute at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, observed that the Middle Eastern countries Hun Sen is visiting are extremely significant economically, commercially and investment-wise. Enhanced cooperation with these nations could help Cambodia diversify its markets, trade and investments.
He believed that forging free trade agreements with these countries would be a positive strategic move for the Kingdom.
“Politically and diplomatically, this shows Cambodia’s diversification in foreign relations, countering the criticism that it relies solely on China or one great power. This portrays Cambodia’s diplomacy as multi-faceted, like a colourful flower. From a security perspective, these countries are also significant, even to global powers,” Phea said.
Chheng Kimlong, president of the Asian Vision Institute (AVI), told The Post that the visit exhibits Cambodia’s proactive parliamentary diplomacy in peace, international cooperation and co-development built on growing mutual trust, mutual respect and innovative partnerships amidst the global challenges the world is facing.
“Enhancing trust-based friendships and relations, be they bilateral or multilateral, is of paramount importance. Cambodia stands to gain by widening the scope of strategic partnership building to optimise the potentials and to better manage risks coming from external sources,” he said.
He added that Hun Sen’s visit to China last week and the current mission to the Gulf States and Turkiye represent Cambodia's example of active diversification of external relations and a practical approach to fortifying its outward-looking foreign policy.
