Cambodia, ASEAN-China Centre Vow to Boost Chinese Tourist Arrivals with Pilot Visa Waiver

PHNOM PENH — The Ministry of Tourism (MoT) and the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) have reaffirmed their joint commitment to significantly increase the number of Chinese tourists visiting Cambodia, fueled by a new pilot visa exemption scheme.

The commitment was formalized during an April 27 meeting at the Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel & Residence between H.E. Huot Hak, Cambodia’s Minister of Tourism, and H.E. Shi Zhongjun, Secretary-General of the ASEAN-China Centre.

Deepening “All-Seasons” Cooperation

Both sides agreed that tourism serves as a key pillar in realizing a “Cambodia-China Community with a Shared Future” in the new era, emphasizing high-quality, high-level, and high-standard cooperation across all seasons. The two parties pledged to strengthen practical, in-depth collaboration to attract more Chinese visitors, enhance people-to-people exchanges, and promote active engagement throughout 2026 and beyond.

The “Green Season” Visa Incentive

The push aligns with a high-level directive from Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, who recently authorized a pilot visa exemption for Chinese citizens.

Under this initiative, Chinese nationals will be permitted to stay in Cambodia for up to 14 days without a visa during a four-month “Green Season” window: from June 15 to October 15, 2026. The trial period is designed to coincide with Cambodia’s rainy season—traditionally a slower period for tourism—to stimulate arrivals and extend visitor stays.

Strategic Alignment

Minister Huot Hak and Secretary-General Shi Zhongjun also noted that their efforts complement ongoing collaboration between the Ministry, the Chinese Embassy in Cambodia, and the private sector. The visa exemption is seen as a strategic tool to make Cambodia a more competitive destination for Chinese outbound tourism, which is steadily recovering following global travel disruptions.

🙋 Quick Facts: Cambodia-China Tourism Pilot