Tuesday, 30 October 2012
By REY O. ARCILLA
Malaya Business Insight (Philippine)
The heads of state/government of the Asean countries and those of China, Japan and South Korea will have their annual summit meetings in Phnom Penh, Cambodia next month.
The question uppermost in the mind of many is how Cambodia will behave as Asean chairman this time. Will she repeat what she did last July that resulted in no joint communiqué being issued by the Asean foreign ministers? Cambodia refused to include in the communique any mention of the West Philippine Sea dispute which sadly left the reputation of the Association as an effective organization in tatters.
My fearful (as opposed to fearless, because I fear it will happen again) forecast is that Cambodia will behave in the same manner as last time. I cannot imagine her changing her stance.
As I wrote last September 11:
“Reuters reported that for what Cambodia did in Phnom Penh last month, China immediately gave her over $500 million grants and loans, plus $25 million as a “gift” to use as she pleases. (That is more than the $21 million additional US aid to us next year that Del Rosario had been harping about.)
“China also gave “positive” consideration to Cambodia’s proposal for the former to provide $300 to $500 million new loans per year for the next five years, repeat, five years, for yet unspecified projects.
“On top of all that, a Chinese company planned to invest $2 billion to build a steel plant in Cambodia that would employ about 10,000 people. The plant will produce 3 million tons of steel a year.
“Reuters further said that last year, China invested in Cambodia $1.9 billion, more than double the combined investment by Asean countries and 10 times more than that of the US.
“Now, if you were in Cambodia’s shoes, would you change stance? Put another way, can Asean or the US match or surpass China’s ‘generosity’?”
I do not foresee China’s present leadership or the one that’s supposed to come in next month reneging on the promises made to Cambodia.
Then again, my crystal ball could be wrong.
3 comments:
When Cambodia fought against Thailand, what the fuck you Philippine did to help Cambodia? Now it's your kamma.
I am just sickened tired of these short dicks ASEAN leaders who want Cambodian leader to be their bitch! These short dick ASEAN leaders are only interested in looking after their own interest and fuck them!
When Thailand invaded Cambodia and all the short dick ASEAN leaders sit on their ass and hand and do shit not to offend Thailand as if Thailand can do shit to them!
Cambodia is not your bitch and if all you short dick ASEAN can't top China just fuck off! With $1.9 billion of investment from China and I have no regret in betraying these short dick ASEAN leaders in a heartbeat!
You know how to get to the point. Good Job,
I hope the government in Cambodian used the money wisely, in stead of kept borrowing.
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