The gigantic council of ministers building financed by China (Photo: http//tumnei.wordpress.com)Cambodia follows Beijing’s example
02 June 2009
By Jerome Boruszewski in Phnom Penh
La Croix (France)
Translated from French by Tola Ek
China spreads its economic growth as a model to its neighbors, to the detriment of human rights. This is exactly the case of Cambodia.
“Development,” all Cambodian ministers are reciting this mantra. In theory, they recognize the needs for a balance between economic growth and the respect for the environment and human rights, however, they did not hide that the compatibility between the two are very difficult to achieve. In practice, they tip the balance toward growth (more than 10% yearly growth before the worldwide financial crisis) and they favor the plundering of lands, forced evictions of people, and constructions of dams which could bring in disastrous environmental consequences.
China is joining in this anarchic development strategy. China dominates the textile sector which is often blamed for deplorable working conditions. China benefits from concessions for exploitation of natural resources that lack transparency, such as rubber plantations, mineral explorations, and soon oil exploration.
China’s economic aid
If Cambodia welcomes these capitals with open hands, it is because China’s economic aid fits its needs. China builds roads, bridges, hydroelectric plants, and it is patiently waiting for a return of favorable climate for the development of its investments. “[China] plays a crucial role in the investments. But, it does not interfere in the management of the economy which is still dominated by the Cambodians,” Kong Chandararoth, Director of Cambodia Institute for Study and Development, explained.
In Phnom Penh, China paid 35 million euros to finance the construction of a gigantic building for the new council of ministers. This is a powerful symbol of China’s political support. Beijing is also the top donor of the Khmer kingdom (182 million euros of Chinese donation for this year).
Within this context, Cambodia cannot afford to criticize China, its ally, with whom it shared the celebration of 50 years of diplomatic ties. In front of this privileged relationship, Western countries give the impression of giving up, in spite of the fact that Phnom Penh needs these western countries to acquire its international respect status, something that China is not able to provide.
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Le Cambodge suit l’exemple de Pékin
02/06/2009
La Croix (France)
La Chine diffuse chez ses voisins son modèle de croissance économique au détriment des droits de l’homme. Il en va ainsi au Cambodge
"Développement", les ministres cambodgiens ont tous ce mot à la bouche. En théorie, ils reconnaissent qu’il faut trouver le juste équilibre entre l’essor économique et le respect de l’environnement et des droits de l’homme, laissant entendre que les deux sont difficilement compatibles. En pratique, ils font pencher la balance vers la croissance (plus de 10% avant la crise financière mondiale), et favorisent du coup les spoliations foncières, les déplacements de population et les constructions de barrages aux conséquences environnementales désastreuses.
La Chine participe à cette stratégie de développement à tout va. Elle domine l’industrie textile, souvent blâmée pour ses conditions de travail déplorables. Elle bénéficie de concessions pour l’exploitation opaque de ressources naturelles : caoutchouc, minerais et bientôt pétrole.
L'aide économique de la Chine
Si le Cambodge accueille à bras ouverts ces capitaux, c’est que son aide économique lui convient parfaitement. La Chine construit des routes, des ponts, des centrales hydroélectriques et n’attend en retour qu’un climat favorable au développement de ses affaires. "Elle tient une place cruciale dans les investissements. Mais elle n’intervient pas dans le management de l’économie, qui reste dominée par les Cambodgiens", explique Kong Chandararoth, président de l’Institut des études sur le développement du Cambodge.
À Phnom Penh, la Chine finance à hauteur de 35 millions d’euros la construction d’un bâtiment gigantesque qui accueillera le nouveau conseil des ministres. Un symbole puissant de soutien politique. Pékin est le premier donateur du royaume khmer (182 millions d’euros cette année).
Dans ce contexte, le Cambodge ne se permet aucune critique à l’égard de cet allié, avec qui il a fêté l’an dernier le cinquantenaire de l’établissement de relations diplomatiques. Et face à cette relation privilégiée, les pays occidentaux donnent souvent l’impression de baisser les bras, alors que le Cambodge a besoin d’eux pour acquérir une respectabilité internationale que la Chine n’est pas en mesure d’offrir.
Jérôme Boruszewski, à Phnom Penh
“Development,” all Cambodian ministers are reciting this mantra. In theory, they recognize the needs for a balance between economic growth and the respect for the environment and human rights, however, they did not hide that the compatibility between the two are very difficult to achieve. In practice, they tip the balance toward growth (more than 10% yearly growth before the worldwide financial crisis) and they favor the plundering of lands, forced evictions of people, and constructions of dams which could bring in disastrous environmental consequences.
China is joining in this anarchic development strategy. China dominates the textile sector which is often blamed for deplorable working conditions. China benefits from concessions for exploitation of natural resources that lack transparency, such as rubber plantations, mineral explorations, and soon oil exploration.
China’s economic aid
If Cambodia welcomes these capitals with open hands, it is because China’s economic aid fits its needs. China builds roads, bridges, hydroelectric plants, and it is patiently waiting for a return of favorable climate for the development of its investments. “[China] plays a crucial role in the investments. But, it does not interfere in the management of the economy which is still dominated by the Cambodians,” Kong Chandararoth, Director of Cambodia Institute for Study and Development, explained.
In Phnom Penh, China paid 35 million euros to finance the construction of a gigantic building for the new council of ministers. This is a powerful symbol of China’s political support. Beijing is also the top donor of the Khmer kingdom (182 million euros of Chinese donation for this year).
Within this context, Cambodia cannot afford to criticize China, its ally, with whom it shared the celebration of 50 years of diplomatic ties. In front of this privileged relationship, Western countries give the impression of giving up, in spite of the fact that Phnom Penh needs these western countries to acquire its international respect status, something that China is not able to provide.
-------------
Le Cambodge suit l’exemple de Pékin
02/06/2009
La Croix (France)
La Chine diffuse chez ses voisins son modèle de croissance économique au détriment des droits de l’homme. Il en va ainsi au Cambodge
"Développement", les ministres cambodgiens ont tous ce mot à la bouche. En théorie, ils reconnaissent qu’il faut trouver le juste équilibre entre l’essor économique et le respect de l’environnement et des droits de l’homme, laissant entendre que les deux sont difficilement compatibles. En pratique, ils font pencher la balance vers la croissance (plus de 10% avant la crise financière mondiale), et favorisent du coup les spoliations foncières, les déplacements de population et les constructions de barrages aux conséquences environnementales désastreuses.
La Chine participe à cette stratégie de développement à tout va. Elle domine l’industrie textile, souvent blâmée pour ses conditions de travail déplorables. Elle bénéficie de concessions pour l’exploitation opaque de ressources naturelles : caoutchouc, minerais et bientôt pétrole.
L'aide économique de la Chine
Si le Cambodge accueille à bras ouverts ces capitaux, c’est que son aide économique lui convient parfaitement. La Chine construit des routes, des ponts, des centrales hydroélectriques et n’attend en retour qu’un climat favorable au développement de ses affaires. "Elle tient une place cruciale dans les investissements. Mais elle n’intervient pas dans le management de l’économie, qui reste dominée par les Cambodgiens", explique Kong Chandararoth, président de l’Institut des études sur le développement du Cambodge.
À Phnom Penh, la Chine finance à hauteur de 35 millions d’euros la construction d’un bâtiment gigantesque qui accueillera le nouveau conseil des ministres. Un symbole puissant de soutien politique. Pékin est le premier donateur du royaume khmer (182 millions d’euros cette année).
Dans ce contexte, le Cambodge ne se permet aucune critique à l’égard de cet allié, avec qui il a fêté l’an dernier le cinquantenaire de l’établissement de relations diplomatiques. Et face à cette relation privilégiée, les pays occidentaux donnent souvent l’impression de baisser les bras, alors que le Cambodge a besoin d’eux pour acquérir une respectabilité internationale que la Chine n’est pas en mesure d’offrir.
Jérôme Boruszewski, à Phnom Penh
7 comments:
I don't agree with this article entily. Cambodian leaders have learnt only bad practices from other not just from China. At present all advisors of Cambodian leaders are all mafias fleing from arrested from their own country.
But Cambodian haven't learnt from China for their leadership removal from one whole generation into another generation.
From 1979 until now China has changed many generations of leadership such;
-from 1978-1986 China was led by Deng Xiao Ping and his generation.
From 1986-1988 China was led by Hu Yao bang and his generation
-From 1988-1989 China was led by Zhang Ji Yang and his generation.
-From 1989-2001 China was led by Zhang Jimin and his generation.
-From 2001-now China is being led by Hun Jintao and his generation.
Presently china has put all public servants older than 55 years old to retirement. All government servants working with foreigners must be able to speak and write fluently english or other foreign language.
Presently china has developped their country into the world richess foreign reserve with
-more than 2 trillions in US dollars
-1 trillions in American government bonds.
-nearly 700 millions US dollars in travel check.
China has builts millions km of motorways and roads. All China cities are becoming brand news cities with good supplied of clean drinking water and electrity.
China has developped herself without foreign aids and presently can help countries around the world such as Asian, africa and South america.
What Cambodia has learnt from China ????????
The writer must have intellectual handicap for writing this such article! Areak Prey
In 1978, when Deng Xiaoping has sized power back from Gang of 4 who have killions of 60 millions of Chinese through cultural revolution, the Chinese Government under the reformist Deng Xiao Ping has charged those gang of 4 leaders and their culprits to death in prison. In this action, what has Cambodia put their killers of Khmer rouge?
The demonstration of June 1989 in Tiananmin Square was approved by Chinese Leader Zhang Jiyang to remove corrupted leaders from Chinese leadership. That determination was not approved by Deng Xiaoping, therefore it had failed and has end up with killings of a few thousands of students activist and the down fall of Leader Zhang Jiyang.
Cambodia is comparing to a small city of a China. But what development did we have in the past 20 years?
-No public security
-No clean drinking water for all cities in the country.
-No prpre healthcare system
-No propre education system
-No sport and recreation development.
-Public servants are living like slave.
-Poverty everywhere.
-Corruption from top to the bottom.
Where are these culture from?
I didn't see these cultures in China at all. Areak Prey
Cambodia is getting prosperous.
Hey smart ass 2:11 PM,
Don't care who you are whether you are "for" or "against" Khmer. But it may be more effective if you JA can give us an inkling as to what kind of product CPP is already (in one or two words) then tell us to go to that link of yours for details...
Can you JA do that instead of beating around the bush of yours???
Sarcastically yours,
Passer-by
China has been held in hostage by Qangqing and lin Pio since 1966 for the name of Cultural revolution. This cultural revolution was an excuse carried out by Qang Qing ( Mao Ste Tong'wife to root out all good leaders of China such as Late President Lio Shao Qi, Late Vice-President Madame Song Qing Ling, all other Marshalls and Zou Englai. During that Cultural revolution many former leaders have been killed. During that time even Mao Stetong himself was also hostaged by his own mistress. Qang Qing has used this kind of politic to revenge all her oppositions to recognise her as the legal First Lady ( Legal wife of Mao Stetong ).
After Lin Pio death at around 1973, Qang Qing had still continued her cultural revolution with her gangs until crushed by Late Deng Xiao Ping.
THerefore, China has it own internal problem until 1989 and her full development has started from 1992 onward. In 1989, I have travelled by train from Beijing to Guangdong. It took 3 days and 2 nights non stop. China was still the same as left from last regime of Chia Kachiek. I went in 1992 to ShenZheng in 1992, ShenZheng was smaller than Kg Chhnang( 30,000 people). But now Shenzhen has about 16 millions of people. Areak Prey
Learning from other countries are the best way for every leaders.
We know there are bads and goods in China...
And overall, China is heading in the right direction. The US is trying very hard to build and maintain, and perhaps learn from China
So what is wrong with Cambodian leaders to copy some models from China
You are very corrected that if these Cambodian leaders can learnt a small fraction from China, then, Cambodia can be very rich and powerfull. But in contrast these idiots cambodian leaders can only learn to sex, to eat and to sleep like ape.
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