In God We Trust, In China We Invest the Nation's Future - Op-Ed by Davan Long

Dear all,

As you probably know, President Hu Jintao of China is undertaking a four-day visit in Cambodia. As the Middle Kingdom plays a key role in Cambodia politics and way of life, I decide to write the article below to share my thought with all of you. As always, you comments/critics are welcome,but please avoid vulgarity and profanity in your comments.

Thank you,

DL

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Chers tous,

Vous êtes probablement au courant comme moi que le président Hu Jintao de la Chine entreprendra une visite officielle de quatre jours au Cambodge. Etant donné l'Empire du Milieu joue un rôle important dans la politique et la survie du Cambodge ainsi que sa vie quotidienne, je décide d'écrire un article ci-dessous pour partager ma pensée avec vous tous. Comme toujours, vos commentaires et critiques sont les bienvenues, mais dans le respect de tous, je vous demande d’éviter la vulgarité dans vos commentaires.

Cordialement,

LD

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In God We Trust, In China We Invest the Nation's Future

Meeting between Sihanouk and Hu Jintao in Beijing

President Hu Jintao’s upcoming state visit to Cambodia this week will mark an important milestone in Cambodia foreign policyand relations. Evidently, the four-day visit is far more than just strengthening the long standing bilateral cooperation between the two countries. It also highlights the significant role of Cambodia as ASEAN chairman in helping to resolve the lingering regional issue, specifically the South China Sea dispute.

Cambodia has every reason to be upbeat about the visit. While such highest-level state visit is viewed as mutually beneficial for both countries, it benefits the Cambodia side in a number of ways. In particular, it provides tremendous support to Cambodia domestic and international agendas. Diplomatically, it will boost Cambodia standing in the region, and lend a much-needed credibility for Cambodia to successfully fulfill its ASEAN chairmanship role.

Being a small country in the region, it is constantly an uphill battle for Cambodia to manage its internal affairs freely from external interferences, let alone assuming a key role in regional affairs. However, strong and enduring bilateral ties with China are paving the way to change all of that, and more importantly allowing us to redefine our place and relationships with other nations in the region.

It is visibly undeniable that no country in the region has so far gained from China’s economic transformation and successes than Cambodia. The Middle Kingdom has generously poured billions of dollars into Cambodia economy and public infrastructure, apparently with no strings attached according to PM Hun Sen. But that’s not all. Beyond the generous economic aids, it is China’s political commitment and steadiness toward Cambodia that make her a truly dependable friend and ally of Cambodia.

To secure its future, Cambodia desperately needs a genuine friend like China whose foreign policy is steady and predictable. There are arguably no other viable options. Cambodia, in present and foreseeable circumstances, cannot afford the risk to compromise its future by relying on a major World power whose foreign policy changes from one election to another.The compelling reason is that any drastic change or reversal of foreign policy by such ally would spell disastrous consequences for Cambodia.

While enthusiastically looking forward to welcome President Hu, Cambodia is equally eager to take the opportunity to become more informed about the once-in-a-decade power transfer in China starting this fall, when seven of the nine members of the Standing Committee of the Politburo are set to retire. New generation of leaders, including Vice-President Xi Jinping, Vice-Premier Li Keqiang, and other powerful figures like Mr. Wang Yang and Mr. Bo Xilai, are expected to be promoted and assume more prominent roles to succeed the current top leadership. Although it is highly unlikely that China’s next leaders will undertake major policy changes, getting to know them and how they think at the early stage is paramount to cement the existing bilateral relationship.

Without a doubt, Cambodia is mindful of the delicate balance between preserving its close ties with China and fulfilling its ASEAN chairmanship responsibilities in the South China Sea dispute. Cambodia is, however,optimistic that there is enough room to achieve both. With its carefully crafted policy along with existing regional and international mechanisms,Cambodia is confident in its ability and leadership to continue to push the envelope constructively in such a way that will benefit both China and ASEAN members at large.