Cambodia Rescues 146 Women Trafficked to China

[geovalin]

Lieutenant General Sok Veasna MoI

 

 

Over 140 Cambodian women have been rescued and repatriated from China this year after being deceived by human traffickers posing as marriage brokers, the Ministry of Interior has confirmed.

 

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Lieutenant General Sok Veasna, head of Cambodia’s General Department of Immigration, revealed that 146 women had been brought home in the first five months of 2025 alone. Many had been lured abroad under false promises, only to find themselves sold into forced marriages with Chinese men.

 

“We are receiving these victims at Phnom Penh International Airport,” said Lt Gen Veasna. “They were trafficked under false pretences and have now been safely returned to Cambodia.”

 

The General Department of Immigration has since tightened departure screenings at airports and border checkpoints, focusing particularly on women travelling to China under suspicious circumstances. According to authorities, several cases involved Cambodian women travelling with Chinese men they had known for just days.

 

In one instance, a Cambodian woman and a foreign man were stopped and questioned after failing to give clear answers about their travel plans. Officials suspected trafficking and referred the case to the National Police Headquarters. The suspects were later handed over to the courts for further legal action.

 

Authorities say traffickers are preying on vulnerable women with limited education or economic opportunities, exploiting their hopes for a better life abroad. The issue has become increasingly complex, with traffickers using social media and matchmaking schemes to disguise their operations.

 

The Interior Ministry stressed that it remains committed to cracking down on trafficking networks and increasing awareness among at-risk communities. “We are determined to stop this trade in human lives,” Lt Gen Veasna stated.

 

The Cambodian government continues to work closely with Chinese authorities to ensure the safe return of victims and to bring perpetrators to justice. In the meantime, officials are urging citizens to exercise caution when engaging in overseas marriage arrangements or informal travel plans.

 

The latest figures mark a sharp reminder of the ongoing challenge of cross-border trafficking in Southeast Asia, where poverty and migration continue to fuel exploitation.

 

-2025-06-02