The General Department of Immigration deported 163 Chinese nationals, including five women, over violations involving illegal residence, unauthorised employment, illegal border crossings and online scams on Saturday.

The deportation was carried out at Techo International Airport, following instructions from Lt Gen Sok Veasna, Director-General of the General Department of Immigration, in cooperation with the Chinese Embassy in Cambodia.

The operation was conducted after recommendations from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sar Sokha and other ministry leaders.

The deportation forms part of the government’s strict enforcement of immigration laws and its efforts to combat transnational crime.

Prime Minister Hun Manet has repeatedly stated that Cambodia will not allow criminals or illegal individuals to use its territory as a base for online scams or other offences that threaten regional and global security.

Authorities must continue to clean up, crack down on and deport offenders without exception to protect national dignity and security, he said.

Under Sokha’s guidance, law enforcement agencies have continued efforts to eliminate technology-related crimes, investigate and arrest criminal masterminds, and rescue victims who were deceived into criminal operations, helping them regain their freedom and return home safely.