Cambodia is strengthening its cultural tourism profile in China, with Tourism Minister Huot Hak promoting the Kingdom as a safe and welcoming destination for Chinese and international visitors at the 9th Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo. The event provides a platform for Cambodia to highlight its tourism potential, deepen cultural exchanges and encourage closer people-to-people connections.
Key Facts
Event: 9th Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo.
Location: China.
Cambodian representative: Tourism Minister Huot Hak.
Participation: More than 400 domestic and international delegates from over 50 countries.
Programme: 18 major activities across seven categories.
Key themes: Cultural tourism, international cooperation, cultural exchange and investment promotion.
Related event: The 2026 Dunhuang Forum, held alongside the expo.
Cambodia Highlights Its Safety and Hospitality
Speaking at the expo’s opening ceremony on Tuesday, Huot Hak presented Cambodia as a secure destination with a strong tradition of hospitality, inviting Chinese and international travellers to visit the Kingdom.
He said Cambodia was fully prepared to welcome visitors and provide a positive experience for tourism, leisure and business activities.
The minister emphasised that visitors could expect their stays and engagements in Cambodia to proceed smoothly, describing the country as a destination where international guests would feel welcomed and at home.
The message forms part of Cambodia’s efforts to maintain international confidence in its tourism sector and encourage visitors from key overseas markets.
Cultural Exchange at the Centre of Cambodia-China Engagement
Huot Hak highlighted the expo’s importance as a platform for promoting cultural tourism, strengthening people-to-people connections and encouraging mutual understanding among different civilisations.
He said closer cooperation in tourism could help expand cultural exchange and reinforce the relationship between Cambodia and China.
The minister also congratulated the organisers on the successful completion of the event’s eight previous editions and expressed appreciation to the Gansu provincial government and Dunhuang municipal government for hosting the gathering.
He described the initiative as reflecting the spirit of building a China-Cambodia community with a shared future in the new era.
International Participation and a Diverse Programme
The expo brought together more than 400 domestic and international delegates representing over 50 countries across different continents.
Among the senior attendees were Gansu Province Party Secretary Wu Xiaojun, World Intellectual Property Organization Director-General Daren Tang, and Jiang Hui, Deputy Minister of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.
Other participants included Sun Weidong, Secretary-General of the China-Central Asia Mechanism, and Shahbaz Khan, Director of UNESCO’s Regional Office in East Asia.
This year’s programme features 18 major activities grouped into seven categories, covering cultural exhibitions, artistic performances, investment promotion and tourism experiences.
The 2026 Dunhuang Forum is also taking place alongside the expo, adding another platform for discussion and international engagement.
Cultural Tourism as an Opportunity for Cambodia
Cambodia’s participation provides an opportunity to promote the country beyond its established tourism attractions by highlighting the wider relationship between cultural heritage, travel experiences and international cooperation.
China remains an important market for Cambodia’s tourism promotion. Engagement at international events such as the Dunhuang expo can help strengthen awareness of Cambodia among Chinese travel stakeholders and potential visitors.
The focus on cultural exchange is also relevant to Cambodia’s broader tourism offering, which includes historical heritage, traditional arts, cultural experiences and contemporary destinations.
However, participation in an international expo and promotional statements do not automatically translate into increased visitor arrivals. Sustained tourism growth will also depend on effective destination marketing, travel connectivity, visitor services and confidence among prospective travellers.
Angkor Times Analysis
Cambodia’s participation in the Dunhuang expo demonstrates the value of cultural diplomacy as part of its tourism promotion strategy.
Rather than relying exclusively on conventional destination advertising, Cambodia can use international cultural platforms to build relationships with tourism organisations, government representatives, media and potential travel partners.
The event also offers an opportunity to position Cambodia within wider regional and international discussions about cultural heritage and tourism development.
For Cambodia-China tourism cooperation, the next step is to turn this engagement into practical activities, such as joint promotional campaigns, travel industry exchanges and tourism product development.
The source announcement does not identify specific new agreements, visitor targets or investment commitments arising from the expo. Its immediate significance is therefore promotional and diplomatic, with the longer-term impact depending on whether further cooperation follows.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What was Cambodia’s main message at the Dunhuang expo?
Tourism Minister Huot Hak promoted Cambodia as a safe and welcoming destination, encouraging Chinese and international visitors to travel to the Kingdom with confidence.
2. What is the 9th Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo?
It is an international event bringing together delegates from different countries to promote cultural exchange, tourism, investment and cooperation through exhibitions, performances and related activities.
3. How many countries participated in the expo?
The event brought together more than 400 domestic and international delegates from over 50 countries.
4. What activities were included in the 2026 programme?
The programme features 18 major activities across seven categories, including cultural exhibitions, artistic performances, investment promotion and tourism experiences.
5. Does the expo announcement include a new Cambodia-China tourism agreement?
The announcement highlights cultural tourism cooperation and international engagement but does not specify a newly signed bilateral tourism agreement or a concrete investment commitment.