China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi calls for complete eradication of Cambodia scam centres
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Work booths inside an abandoned scam centre in O'Smach town on the Thai-Cambodian border on March 12.
PHOTO: AFP
BEIJING – China’s top diplomat Wang Yi called for the complete eradication of scam centres in Cambodia during a meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet in Phnom Penh, according to Beijing’s Foreign Ministry.
Cambodia hosts dozens of scam centres with tens of thousands of people perpetrating online scams – some willingly and others trafficked – in a multibillion-dollar illicit industry, rights monitors say.
But under pressure from several countries, including China, the Cambodian authorities say they are cracking down on the industry.
“Cross-border gambling and fraud endanger the lives and property of the people and must be resolutely cracked down on and completely eradicated,” Mr Wang told Mr Hun Manet, China’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement late on April 22.
China and Cambodia maintain close trade, diplomatic and military ties. Mr Wang, who was accompanied by Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun, also underlined the two countries’ “unbreakable bond” during the meeting.
Mr Hun Manet told AFP in February that scam centres were destroying his country’s economy and giving the nation a bad name, vowing to “clean this out”.
He wrote on social media late on April 22 that he, Mr Wang and Mr Dong had discussed promoting cooperation in politics, trade and investment, national defence and security, clean energy, transportation infrastructure construction and agriculture.
Mr Wang and Mr Dong also met Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn and Defence Minister Tea Seiha on April 22.
The Chinese Foreign Minister said he supported initiatives aimed at normalising relations between Cambodia and Thailand following deadly clashes in 2025 along their shared border.
“China is willing to continue to build more platforms for the resumption of exchanges and direct dialogue between Cambodia and Thailand,” Mr Wang said.
While a ceasefire was agreed to in December 2025, the regional situation remains fragile, with Cambodia and Thailand accusing each other of failing to respect the truce. AFP
