Hun Sen's (L) and Wen Jiabao's (R) handshake puts a lid the fragile democracy of Cambodia. China is the major banker for Hun Sen when he is chastised by Western countries for his abysmal records on human rights and power abuse in Cambodia. China is mainly a good friend to Cambodian autocratic rulers. (Photo Xinhua)KER MUNTHIT (AP)
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia
The Chinese premier's visit to Cambodia starting Friday will raise China's already high profile in the impoverished country and bring more aid, but may prove detrimental to its fragile democracy, analysts say.
The two-day visit by China's Premier Wen Jiabao will feature the signing of 11 bilateral agreements, including a soft loan and the donation of 30 fire trucks, and a groundbreaking ceremony for a Chinese-funded office complex for Prime Minister Hun Sen and his deputies.
Observers say that China's strong support offers Hun Sen's government assurance whenever it is criticized by Western nations for its record on human rights and the democratic process.
"I think that for Hun Sen, China is the perfect ally in comparison to the West," Julio Jeldres, the official biographer of retired King Norodom Sihanouk, said in an e-mail.
"While the latter worries about transparency in government, rule of law, human rights and other issues which Hun Sen does not wish to address, China has no concern about those issues and considers them part of the sovereignty of each country," he said.
China has featured heavily in Cambodian politics over the last half-century. It was the principal backer of the Khmer Rouge during its murderous rule that caused the death of some 1.7 million people before it was toppled by a Vietnamese invasion in 1979.
Hun Sen, who rose to power under Vietnam's umbrella, was then a staunch critic of Beijing for its continued support of the ousted Khmer Rouge who waged a guerrilla war against his government in the 1980s.
But as the end of the Cold War changed global geopolitics, he reversed his course to embrace the giant Asian power, describing it as Cambodia's "most trustworthy friend." His government firmly advocates the one-China policy and regularly lashes out at the leaders of Taiwan.
In return, Beijing has given his government millions of dollars in aid over the last decade.
More will be pledged during Wen's visit.
"China is a regional economic and military power. Would anyone like to see us take an antagonistic stance toward China? That would be pointless," said Khieu Kanharith, Information Minister and chief government spokesman.
He said it is also illogical to say Cambodia is leaning toward China when most of the world is doing business with the economic dynamo. He said good relations with Beijing _ as well as with Japan, United States and European Union _ was beneficial for Cambodia's political stability and economic development.
Last year, investments by Chinese companies were worth some US$240 million (euro195.4 million), topping all projects approved by the government. Most of the Chinese investment was in the garment industry, Cambodia's main foreignexchange earner.
The communist giant has also agreed to write off past debt owed by Cambodia and granted it tariff-free status for some 400 export items.
While the government has long cheered Beijing's generosity, some Cambodians still view China with suspicion because of China's past link with the Khmer Rouge and its current economic muscle, said Son Chhay, a Cambodian opposition lawmaker.
Son Chhay said that Chinese industry is searching for sources of raw materials to feed its economic machine.
"We see the Chinese are more interested in Cambodian natural resources than in any other areas," he said, citing recent media reports about Chinese companies looking to invest in land concessions in Cambodia.
Another Chinese goal is thwarting Vietnamese influence in Cambodia, he said.
Jeldres agreed, saying China's main interest is aimed at "preventing, through its multiform assistance to the Cambodian government, any new great Vietnamese influence in Cambodia and, to a certain extent, preventing also Japan from gaining any kind of a foothold of influence in Cambodia and the region." Japan has been the most generous financial donor to the cash-strapped Cambodian government.
The two-day visit by China's Premier Wen Jiabao will feature the signing of 11 bilateral agreements, including a soft loan and the donation of 30 fire trucks, and a groundbreaking ceremony for a Chinese-funded office complex for Prime Minister Hun Sen and his deputies.
Observers say that China's strong support offers Hun Sen's government assurance whenever it is criticized by Western nations for its record on human rights and the democratic process.
"I think that for Hun Sen, China is the perfect ally in comparison to the West," Julio Jeldres, the official biographer of retired King Norodom Sihanouk, said in an e-mail.
"While the latter worries about transparency in government, rule of law, human rights and other issues which Hun Sen does not wish to address, China has no concern about those issues and considers them part of the sovereignty of each country," he said.
China has featured heavily in Cambodian politics over the last half-century. It was the principal backer of the Khmer Rouge during its murderous rule that caused the death of some 1.7 million people before it was toppled by a Vietnamese invasion in 1979.
Hun Sen, who rose to power under Vietnam's umbrella, was then a staunch critic of Beijing for its continued support of the ousted Khmer Rouge who waged a guerrilla war against his government in the 1980s.
But as the end of the Cold War changed global geopolitics, he reversed his course to embrace the giant Asian power, describing it as Cambodia's "most trustworthy friend." His government firmly advocates the one-China policy and regularly lashes out at the leaders of Taiwan.
In return, Beijing has given his government millions of dollars in aid over the last decade.
More will be pledged during Wen's visit.
"China is a regional economic and military power. Would anyone like to see us take an antagonistic stance toward China? That would be pointless," said Khieu Kanharith, Information Minister and chief government spokesman.
He said it is also illogical to say Cambodia is leaning toward China when most of the world is doing business with the economic dynamo. He said good relations with Beijing _ as well as with Japan, United States and European Union _ was beneficial for Cambodia's political stability and economic development.
Last year, investments by Chinese companies were worth some US$240 million (euro195.4 million), topping all projects approved by the government. Most of the Chinese investment was in the garment industry, Cambodia's main foreignexchange earner.
The communist giant has also agreed to write off past debt owed by Cambodia and granted it tariff-free status for some 400 export items.
While the government has long cheered Beijing's generosity, some Cambodians still view China with suspicion because of China's past link with the Khmer Rouge and its current economic muscle, said Son Chhay, a Cambodian opposition lawmaker.
Son Chhay said that Chinese industry is searching for sources of raw materials to feed its economic machine.
"We see the Chinese are more interested in Cambodian natural resources than in any other areas," he said, citing recent media reports about Chinese companies looking to invest in land concessions in Cambodia.
Another Chinese goal is thwarting Vietnamese influence in Cambodia, he said.
Jeldres agreed, saying China's main interest is aimed at "preventing, through its multiform assistance to the Cambodian government, any new great Vietnamese influence in Cambodia and, to a certain extent, preventing also Japan from gaining any kind of a foothold of influence in Cambodia and the region." Japan has been the most generous financial donor to the cash-strapped Cambodian government.
1 comment:
Remember Krom Ngoy words: Thah chen chett laor oy sra phuk chenh chaul langiach pruk ah chek tiass khbarl,
Nothing Chen gave out free to any body... beware
Look at Sihanouk now,who's he to China? A welfare receipient for life and sell out junky.
Sen is following that same foot step.
Post a Comment