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Cambodia–China relations

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Cambodian–Chinese relations
Map indicating locations of Cambodia and China

Cambodia
China

The bilateral relations between theKingdom of Cambodiaand thePeople's Republic of Chinahave strengthened considerably after the end of theCambodian–Vietnamese War,during which China had supported theKhmer RougeagainstVietnam.[1]

History

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Present from Cambodia toQingcourt
Then-PrinceNorodom Sihanoukwith CCP chairmanMao Zedong(far left) and Chinese presidentLiu Shaoqi(far right) in Beijing, 1965.

Although the countries share no common border, China has had a historic cultural and commercial relationship with Cambodia. The 950,000Chinese in Cambodiaconstitute 3-5% of Cambodia's population, and although they were discriminated against by the Khmer Rouge and the Vietnamese, they have re-emerged as a prominent business community.[2]

The first contacts between China and theKhmer Empireof Cambodia occurred in theTangperiod, and for centuries onward the two countries shared a strong trading relationship. AChola-Song-Khmer trade axis dominated trade in the east for much of the 11th and 12th centuries.YuanChinese accounts of the Cambodian kingdom proved to be crucial to uncovering the history of the region. Cambodia maintained relations with Ming China as early as 1421 AD during the final years of the Khmer Empire whenPonhea Yatdispatched a minister to establish formal diplomatic ties.[3]

China has used Cambodia as a counterweight to Vietnam. In the mid-20th century, the People's Republic of China supported theMaoistKhmer RougeagainstLon Nol's regime, whoNationalist Chinahad ties with, during theCambodian Civil Warand then its takeover of Cambodia in 1975. Also,Mao Zedonghad fostered good relations withPrinceNorodom Sihanouk,who also fought against Lon Nol and backed the Khmer Rouge. When theVietnamese militaryinvaded Cambodia in 1978, China provided extensive political and military support for the Khmer Rouge.[1]In 1979, China waged abrief border waragainst Vietnam, partly to threaten it into pulling out of Cambodia.[4]TheParis Peace Conference on Cambodia,from July 1989 to October 1991, resolved Cambodia–China relations.[citation needed]

Modern depiction of a visit ofZheng He's fleet to Cambodia. A relief in Nanjing's Treasure Boat Shipyard Park

Since 1997, China began developing closer relations with the regime ofCambodian Prime MinisterHun Sen,once a pro-Vietnamese leader and adefectorfrom the Khmer Rouge during Vietnam's occupation of Cambodia.[1]Although initially backing Hun Sen's political opponent PrinceNorodom Ranariddhand hisFUNCINPEC,China was disenchanted with Ranariddh's efforts to build a closer relationship withTaiwan,which is claimed by China.[1]Facing international isolation after the 1997 coup that brought him to power, Hun Sen cultivated close ties with China, which opposed efforts by Western countries to imposeeconomic sanctionson Cambodia.[1]China filled the gap in grants, aids, and investments formerly filled by Western countries.[5]: 28 China's close ties with Cambodia have also served to gain leverage against Vietnamese influence in the region.[6]

In 2000, Chinese PresidentJiang Zeminbecame the first Chinese Head of State to visit Cambodia.[5]: 28 

In July 2019, Cambodia was among 37 countries which signed a joint letter to theUNHRCdefending China's treatment ofUyghursand other Muslim minority groups in theXinjiangregion.[7]In June 2020, Cambodia was one of 53 countries that backed theHong Kong national security lawat theUnited Nations.[8]

In November 2022, Chinese PremierLi Keqiangvisited Cambodia for theASEAN Summitand stated that China would continue to support and provide aid for infrastructure projects and industrialization efforts in Cambodia.[5]: 31 

Cooperation

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Generally, Cambodia and China have had significant strategic cooperation since Cambodia's 1958 independence.[5]: 27 From the Cambodian perspective, strong relations with China help Cambodia to pushback against Cambodia's larger neighbors,VietnamandThailand.[5]: 27 

During the visit ofChinese PremierWen Jiabaobetween April 7-April 8, 2006 both nations signed several bilateral agreements and a treaty of "Comprehensive Partnership of Cooperation."[1]China diversified its aid and investments in Cambodia and promised to provide US$600 million in loans and grants.[1][6]China has canceled much of Cambodia's debt and granted a fresh loan of US$12.4 million for the construction of the building housing the Cambodian government's council of ministers and the restoration of theAngkor Wattemple and heritage site.[9][6]About $200 million has been earmarked as a low-interest loan for the construction of bridges spanning theMekongandTonle Saprivers. China has cultivated strong ties with Cambodia, gaining access to its sea ports that can allow China to exploit oil reserves in theGulf of Tonkin.[6]During the visit, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen described China as Cambodia's "most trustworthy friend."[1][6]

China has also fundedChinese languageschools in Cambodia.[9]Immigration of Chinese workers to Cambodia has also stepped up in recent years[vague]and is estimated between 50,000 and 300,000.[9][needs update]

From 2000 to 2014, Cambodia received 132 projects financed byChinese aid,a greater number of projects than any other recipient of Chinese aid.[10]: 103 

WithinASEAN,Cambodia is often supportive of China.[11]: 211 In 2016, Cambodia took a China-favorable position at an ASEAN meeting which addressedsovereignty disputes in the South China Sea.[12]: 185 Observers generally expected the meeting to produce a statement critical of China's positions, but through Cambodia's objection the meeting resulted in a more general statement not referencing China and speaking generally of concern over on-going developments in the South China Sea.[12]: 185 Chinese leaders expressed their appreciation for Cambodia and China's foreign minister stated, "History will prove that the Cambodian side's maintained position is correct."[13]: 52 

Defense

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Further information:Ream Naval Base

In the aftermath of the 1997 coup, China provided US$2.8 million in military aid and has since supplied wide range of military equipment,[14]training of military and police cadre and naval vessels to combatdrug traffickingandpiracy.[1]In May 2014, Cambodia and China entered into an agreement to increase their defense ties.[13]: 164 As part of the agreement, China increased the number of scholarships it offered to Cambodian military personnel to study in China.[13]: 164 In 2018, China provided $100 million to Cambodia for defense spending.[10]: 103 In 2022, Cambodia and China signed a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation.[10]: 103 

Health

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During theCOVID-19 pandemic,China provided major assistance to theHun Sengovernment's vaccination campaign.[15]As of early November 2021, China had sent more than 35 million vaccines to Cambodia. China provided many of them free of charge.[15]Vaccines provided by China accounted for more than 90% of total vaccines provided to Cambodia from other countries.[15]China also provided other health care supplies as well as medical professionals to Cambodia during the pandemic.[16]In part thanks to Chinese contributions, Cambodia had the second-highest vaccination rate in Southeast Asia, despite having the second lowest per capita GDP in the region.[16]

Commerce

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Through theBelt and Road Initiative,China has a major role in infrastructure development in Cambodia.[15]In 2017, China financed approximately 70% of Cambodia's road and bridge development.[15]China built a major expressway betweenSihanoukvilleandPhnom Penh,which began operating in 2023.[15]

Trade between Cambodia and China totaled US$4.8 billion in 2016,[17]compared to $732 million in 2006 and has increased by an average of 26% for the last 10 years.[9]However, Cambodia has a significanttrade deficitwith China, importing over $3.9 billion (raw fabrics being the largest constituent) compared to its exports of $830 million.[17]It was estimated that 60% of products in Cambodian markets were Chinese-made on 2006,[9]and 24% of Cambodian imports were from China in 2015.[18]There are multiple large-scale Chinese investment projects in Cambodia such as the 400 MWLower Se San 2 Damworth $781 million[19]and a US$3.8 billion deep-water port project on a 90-km stretch of Cambodian coastline.[20]According to theCambodian Center for Human Rights,the Cambodian government gave over 4.6 million hectares in concessions to 107 Chinese-owned firms between 1994 and 2012.[21]

In 2010, Cambodia and China signed cooperation agreements on bridge and road infrastructure.[13]: 159 Cambodia and China signed afree trade agreementin 2020.[22]: 269 

Concerns

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Embassy of Cambodia in China
Portraits of CCP general secretaryXi Jinpingand KingNorodom Sihamonibeing displayed during Xi's state visit to Cambodia, October 2016.

The Cambodian government's suppression of theFalun Gong,anew religious movement(considered by China and other critics to be a cult) banned by China, andextraditionof two Falun Gong activists to China was criticized by human rights activities and theUnited Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.[1]Suspected preferential treatment for Cambodia-based Chinese firms and theNational Assembly's guarantee of profits for the Chinese investors in the Kamchay power plant has also provoked criticism fromopposition politiciansof China's growing political clout in Cambodia.[9]

From 1994 to 2012 "China invested a total of US$9.17 billion" in Cambodia.[23]However,illegal loggingand shady deals involving members of Cambodia's government and Chinese firms were reported to be increasing. Mining projects and government land concessions to foreign and local firms, resulted in people being displaced from their land. According toThe Cambodia Dailyin 2006, Phong hill tribes inMondulkiri province"claim that the Chinese company has colluded with the Cambodian government to illegally force them from their ancestral homeland".[24]TheBoeung Kakand Borei Keila evictions in Phnom Penh were seen by many observers as the Cambodian Government's increasing drift away from the adherence to human rights. The Chinese fundedSesan Dam projectin the northeastern part of Cambodia, threaten to lower the fish stocks, and affect the livelihood of many Khmer. "By one estimate, the project will result in a 9 percent drop in fish stocks in the entireMekong Basin".[25]

See also

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References

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  1. ^abcdefghijStorey, Ian (April 2006)."China's tightening relationship with Cambodia".China Brief.6(9).Jamestown Foundation.Archived fromthe originalon June 16, 2007.Retrieved2008-06-17.
  2. ^Thomas Lum."Cambodia: Background and U.S. relations"(PDF).Congressional Research Service.pp. 14–16.Archived(PDF)from the original on 2008-06-05.Retrieved2008-06-17.
  3. ^Chun, Chanboth (29 July 2014)."ប្រវត្តិព្រះបាទព្ញាយ៉ាតរំដោះក្រុងអង្គរពីសៀម".Radio Free Asia.Archivedfrom the original on 26 August 2022.Retrieved3 June2020.
  4. ^"Vietnam - China".U.S.Library of Congress.Archivedfrom the original on 2004-10-29.Retrieved2008-06-03.
  5. ^abcdeHan, Enze (2024).The Ripple Effect: China's Complex Presence in Southeast Asia.New York, NY:Oxford University Press.ISBN978-0-19-769659-0.
  6. ^abcde"China gives Cambodia $600m in aid".BBC News.2006-04-08.Archivedfrom the original on 2022-12-12.Retrieved2008-06-17.
  7. ^"Which Countries Are For or Against China's Xinjiang Policies?".The Diplomat.15 July 2019.Archivedfrom the original on 3 February 2020.Retrieved19 July2019.
  8. ^Lawler, Dave (2 July 2020)."The 53 countries supporting China's crackdown on Hong Kong".Axios.Archivedfrom the original on 4 July 2020.Retrieved3 July2020.
  9. ^abcdefDavid Fullbrook (2006-10-06)."China's growing influence in Cambodia".Asia Times.Archived fromthe originalon 2008-12-02.Retrieved2008-06-17.
  10. ^abcGarlick, Jeremy (2024).Advantage China: Agent of Change in an Era of Global Disruption.Bloomsbury Academic.ISBN978-1-350-25231-8.
  11. ^Gerstl, Alfred (2023). "China in its Immediate Neighborhood". In Kironska, Kristina; Turscanyi, Richard Q. (eds.).Contemporary China: a New Superpower?.Routledge.ISBN978-1-03-239508-1.
  12. ^abTsang, Steve;Cheung, Olivia (2024).The Political Thought of Xi Jinping.Oxford University Press.ISBN9780197689363.
  13. ^abcdLoh, Dylan M.H. (2024).China's Rising Foreign Ministry: Practices and Representations of Assertive Diplomacy.Stanford University Press.ISBN9781503638204.
  14. ^Hoa Kỳ ngưng viện trợ, Trung Quốc tặng ngay Phnom Penh 257 quân xaArchived2010-06-27 at theWayback Machine(in Vietnamese)
  15. ^abcdefHan, Enze (2024).The Ripple Effect: China's Complex Presence in Southeast Asia(illustrated ed.).Oxford University Press.p. 29.ISBN978-0-19-769658-3.Archivedfrom the original on 13 July 2024.
  16. ^abHan, Enze (2024).The Ripple Effect: China's Complex Presence in Southeast Asia(illustrated ed.).Oxford University Press.p. 30.ISBN978-0-19-769658-3.Archivedfrom the original on 13 July 2024.
  17. ^abDongmiao, Zhang (11 April 2017)."Cambodia-China trade volume reaches 4.8 bln USD last year: PM".XinhuaNet.Archivedfrom the original on 20 June 2017.Retrieved18 August2017.
  18. ^"OEC - Cambodia (KHM) Exports, Imports, and Trade Partners".Observatory of Economic Complexity.Archivedfrom the original on 28 October 2023.Retrieved18 August2017.
  19. ^"Agreement signed for construction of Lower Sesan 2 Dam".Cambodia Daily. 27 November 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 21 February 2018.Retrieved18 August2017.
  20. ^Peel, Michael (1 September 2016)."China draws Cambodia closer in diplomatic embrace".Financial Times.Archivedfrom the original on 18 August 2017.Retrieved18 August2017.
  21. ^Palatino, Mong (26 June 2012)."Is China a Bad Investor?".The Diplomat.Archivedfrom the original on 18 August 2017.Retrieved18 August2017.
  22. ^Cheng, Wenting (2023).China in Global Governance of Intellectual Property: Implications for Global Distributive Justice.Palgrave Socio-Legal Studies series.Palgrave Macmillan.ISBN978-3-031-24369-1.
  23. ^Pheakday, Heng (2013-07-16)."Chinese investment and aid in Cambodia a controversial affair".East Asia Forum.Amsterdam.Archivedfrom the original on 2014-11-24.RetrievedNov 13,2014.
  24. ^Plaut, Ethan; Prak, Chan Thul (2006-04-08)."Chinese Business and Politics: A Growing Influence in Cambodia".The Cambodia Daily.Archivedfrom the original on November 29, 2014.RetrievedNovember 12,2014.
  25. ^Stragio, Sebastian (2014).Hun Sen's Cambodia.Yale University Press.ISBN978-0300190724.
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