Xi in Cambodia for state visit

PHNOM PENH, Apr 17 (AFP): Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh on Thursday, capping a three-stop tour of Southeast Asia, according to live footage from Beijing's state-run CGTN.

Xi arrived after visiting Vietnam and Malaysia as Beijing seeks to strengthen regional trade ties and offset the impact of huge tariffs imposed by his US counterpart Donald Trump.

The Chinese leader touched down at the airport in Phnom Penh on Thursday, where he was greeted by King Norodom Sihamoni during a military welcome ceremony.

Xi is scheduled to go to the palace on Thursday afternoon before holding meetings with former leader Hun Sen and his son, Prime Minister Hun Manet, according to official documents seen by AFP.

China is Cambodia's biggest trading partner and source of investment, and more than a third of Cambodia's $11 billion in foreign debt is owed to China, according to the International Monetary Fund.