Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on July 17 that Cambodia will be excluded from two key travel programs effective August 1. The affected initiatives include the Guanhong Project, which simplifies visa applications for tour groups, and the Travel Authorisation Certificate, which allows eligible travelers entry without a prior visa.
The decision follows what Taipei describes as Cambodia’s consistent alignment with Beijing regarding sovereignty issues. According to the ministry, Phnom Penh has supported statements from China that challenge Taiwan's sovereignty and has appeared to endorse the potential use of force by China to achieve reunification. Additionally, the ministry cited public concerns regarding allegations of Cambodia's involvement in cross-border fraud as a contributing factor to the policy shift.
Cambodia had been participating in these programs since 2018. Taiwan stated that any future reinstatement of these privileges would depend on changes in Cambodia's policy toward Taiwan.
Pee Vasna, a researcher specializing in Cambodia-China development, noted that Cambodia’s support for the "One China" policy is well-established internationally. He characterized the move as an expression of Taipei’s dissatisfaction with Phnom Penh's diplomatic stance, noting that while the decision will impact bilateral relations, the broader ties between Cambodia and China remain extensive across cultural, diplomatic, and economic sectors.
Source: Khmer Times
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