CAC News

PHNOM PENH — A 25-member Cambodian civil society delegation has successfully concluded a 20-day study visit to China, gaining new knowledge and experience in rural development, agricultural modernization, digital technology and poverty reduction while also opening new opportunities for cooperation in the cashew sector.

Led by H.E. Duong Virak, Permanent Vice President of the Civil Society Alliance Forum (CSAF), the delegation visited the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Sichuan Province from June 9 to June 28, 2026.

The visit was conducted under the theme “Understanding China: Youth Contribution to Building a China-Cambodia Community with a Shared Future in the New Era” and was jointly organized by the China NGO Network for International Exchanges (CNIE), the China Foundation for Peace and Development (CFPD), and CSAF.

The Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia (CAC) was honored to participate in the mission, with Mr. Seab Manh representing CAC as an invited member of the delegation.

During the 20-day program, the Cambodian delegation conducted field studies at more than 30 key locations and participated in seminars, lectures and experience-sharing sessions with Chinese government agencies, research institutions and other organizations.

The program provided Cambodian participants with first-hand insights into China's approaches to community development, targeted poverty alleviation, rural revitalization, agricultural modernization and sustainable rural development.

The delegation also explored China's use of digital technology, 5G and artificial intelligence (AI), as well as approaches to cultural preservation and sustainable tourism development.

CAC Explores New Cashew Business Cooperation

Alongside the official study program, CAC held several sideline meetings with Chinese companies to explore opportunities for cooperation in Cambodia's cashew industry.

CAC met with representatives of three Chinese companies to discuss the Cambodian cashew sector, particularly opportunities related to raw cashew nut (RCN) supply and potential business cooperation.

One of the companies expressed a strong interest in learning more about Cambodia's cashew industry and committed to visiting Cambodia in September to explore the availability of raw cashew nuts and discuss potential cooperation with CAC.

The development comes as Cambodia seeks to expand domestic cashew processing and strengthen links between local producers and international buyers and investors.

Lessons for Cambodia

Speaking at the wrap-up meeting, H.E. Duong Virak said the study visit had provided delegation members with new knowledge, practical experiences and perspectives on China's socio-economic development.

He highlighted China's experience in poverty reduction and community development as particularly valuable for Cambodia, emphasizing that lessons learned during the visit could be shared and adapted to Cambodia's own circumstances.

He also stressed the importance of empowering young people and strengthening their role in contributing to Cambodia's national development.

For CAC, participation in the mission also provided an opportunity to promote Cambodia's cashew sector directly to potential Chinese business partners and explore opportunities to connect Cambodia's abundant RCN production with international markets and investment.

The visit concluded with a broader commitment to strengthen mutual understanding, trust and friendship between the peoples of Cambodia and China.

It also added momentum to efforts to advance the vision of building an all-weather Cambodia-China community with a shared future in the new era, while creating new opportunities for cooperation in agriculture, rural development, trade and investment.