PHNOM PENH: Chinese President Xi Jinping met the Cambodian premier in Phnom Penh on Thursday on the final leg of a Southeast Asia tour in which he sought to strengthen regional trade ties.

Xi arrived in the Cambodian capital after visiting Vietnam and Malaysia as Beijing seeks to build ties and offset the impact of huge tariffs imposed by his US counterpart Donald Trump.

The Chinese leader was greeted by King Norodom Sihamoni during a military welcome ceremony after he touched down in Phnom Penh.

Former leader Hun Sen and his son, Prime Minister Hun Manet, shared posts on their social media accounts later on Thursday that showed them meeting with Xi, although there were no details on any agreements that were expected.

Xi said in an article published by Cambodian state-run Fresh News on Thursday that China supported the kingdom "choosing a development path that suits the nation, safeguarding its national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity."

He said the two countries should "resolutely oppose external forces interfering in internal affairs, sowing discord and undermining" relations.