While Hun Sen claims that Cambodia will benefit from Wen Jiabao's visit, the only beneficiary of China's largesse is mainly Hun Sen and his regime. China has bankrolled Mr. Hun Sen's regime at times when the latter was treated as a democracy pariah by most nations in the world. REUTERS/Adrees Latif Cambodia to benefit from Chinese premier's visit, Hun Sen says
(Kyodo) - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Friday his country will benefit from the visit of Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao.
"What is noted as important is the benefit that Cambodia will receive from the visit of the Chinese premier," Hun Sen told reporters shortly before Wen arrived Friday.
He said 11 documents will be signed during Wen's two-day official visit.
The agreements will include grants, soft loans, donation of 30 firetrucks and technical assistance, according to a statement released by the Foreign Ministry.
Also during the visit, Wen will witness a ground-breaking ceremony for a Chinese-funded building for the Cabinet office.
Cambodia is the last leg of a four-country trip for the Chinese premier. He has already visited Australia, Fiji and New Zealand.
Wen will pay courtesy calls on King Norodom Sihamoni, Senate President Chea Sim and National Assembly President Heng Samrin, and will meet with Hun Sen.
China was known as a strong supporter to the Khmer Rouge regime that was responsible for the deaths of at least 1.7 million Cambodians in late 1970s.
Over the years, the Chinese government has substantially increased its loans, grants and supply of equipment such as tractors, water pumps and generators.
China is also the biggest source of military aid to Cambodia, contributing about 40 million yuan ($5 million) a year.
In an interview late last year, Jimmy Gao, president of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia, told Kyodo News that he was pleased with the booming flow of Chinese businesspeople into the country.
"You can see Chinese and their businesses in most blocks in Phnom Penh," he said then, adding between 30,000 and 50,000 Chinese live in Cambodia.
In 2004, he said, China ranked as Cambodia's No. 1 foreign investor for the first time and bilateral trade volume rose from $300 million in 2003 to more than $400 million in 2004.
In the first half of 2005, $402 million of $546 million in pledged foreign direct investment projects came from Chinese companies, he added.
While China's relations with Cambodia are welcomed, some question the reasons for China's interest in the country.
"Based on our experience with China over the last 30 years, China has not helped Cambodia to improve our economy. Instead, it is looking more to the political interests, and to explore the natural resources and raw materials for Chinese industry," Son Chhay, of the opposition Sam Rainsy Party, said.
He also expressed disagreement with a government that accepts China's assistance to build offices and buildings for both the executive and legislative parts of government, arguing Cambodia should build those kinds of premises itself.
"What is noted as important is the benefit that Cambodia will receive from the visit of the Chinese premier," Hun Sen told reporters shortly before Wen arrived Friday.
He said 11 documents will be signed during Wen's two-day official visit.
The agreements will include grants, soft loans, donation of 30 firetrucks and technical assistance, according to a statement released by the Foreign Ministry.
Also during the visit, Wen will witness a ground-breaking ceremony for a Chinese-funded building for the Cabinet office.
Cambodia is the last leg of a four-country trip for the Chinese premier. He has already visited Australia, Fiji and New Zealand.
Wen will pay courtesy calls on King Norodom Sihamoni, Senate President Chea Sim and National Assembly President Heng Samrin, and will meet with Hun Sen.
China was known as a strong supporter to the Khmer Rouge regime that was responsible for the deaths of at least 1.7 million Cambodians in late 1970s.
Over the years, the Chinese government has substantially increased its loans, grants and supply of equipment such as tractors, water pumps and generators.
China is also the biggest source of military aid to Cambodia, contributing about 40 million yuan ($5 million) a year.
In an interview late last year, Jimmy Gao, president of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia, told Kyodo News that he was pleased with the booming flow of Chinese businesspeople into the country.
"You can see Chinese and their businesses in most blocks in Phnom Penh," he said then, adding between 30,000 and 50,000 Chinese live in Cambodia.
In 2004, he said, China ranked as Cambodia's No. 1 foreign investor for the first time and bilateral trade volume rose from $300 million in 2003 to more than $400 million in 2004.
In the first half of 2005, $402 million of $546 million in pledged foreign direct investment projects came from Chinese companies, he added.
While China's relations with Cambodia are welcomed, some question the reasons for China's interest in the country.
"Based on our experience with China over the last 30 years, China has not helped Cambodia to improve our economy. Instead, it is looking more to the political interests, and to explore the natural resources and raw materials for Chinese industry," Son Chhay, of the opposition Sam Rainsy Party, said.
He also expressed disagreement with a government that accepts China's assistance to build offices and buildings for both the executive and legislative parts of government, arguing Cambodia should build those kinds of premises itself.
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