About 231,000 Chinese visited Cambodia in the first six months of the year, up 55 percent over the previous year. Cambodia received 334,000 Chinese visitors in 2012, up 35 percent year-on-year, Cambodia’s Tourism Ministry saying in a report.

Kong Sopheareak, head of Statistics and Planning Department from the ministry, attributed the latest growth to direct flight connections, popular tourist attractions and cordial ties between both countries.

“Close relationships between the Cambodian and Chinese government have encouraged more Chinese tourists, investors and businesspeople to visit Cambodia,” he said.

In June, the Tourism Ministry unveiled a five-year plan targetting at least 1.3 million Chinese visitors by 2018.

As part of the plan, the government will conduct studies to establish China towns and train more Chinese speaking tour guides.

Entry and exit application forms and announcements at airports will be provided in Chinese language, and main roads will carry signs in Chinese.