By Deng Yingjing (Global Times)
Ethnic Chinese in Cambodia only account for 5 percent of the total population, but they control 80 percent of the country's economy. In the current Cambodian government, more than half the cabinet ministers are ethnic Chinese. These people are believed to play a positive role in maintaining the friendship with China.
Although I have been to Cambodia several times, this time was definitely the most impressive. On October 15, I was woken by an early morning phone call from one of my Cambodian friends. He told me that former Cambodian king Norodom Sihanouk had just died in Beijing. My colleagues and I immediately headed to Phnom Penh.
The whole of Cambodia has fallen into deep sorrow. In front of the Royal Palace, hundreds of thousands of people, dressed in black and white, came to mourn the former king.
On October 17, more than 100,000 Cambodians lined the route from the airport to the Royal Palace, for the return of Sihanouk's body. It reminded me of a similar scene in January 1976, when China's then premier Zhou Enlai died in Beijing.
The public is worried whether the good Sino-Cambodian relationship built by Sihanouk will be shifted by his death. In my opinion, the relationship between the two countries is at a high point, and will get better in future.
Sihanouk abdicated in 2004. As he spent most of his old age in China, his influence on Cambodian politics was limited. However, the good relationship built by Sihanouk has deeply influenced the Cambodian public.
Ethnic Chinese in Cambodia only account for 5 percent of the total population, but they control 80 percent of the country's economy. In the current Cambodian government, more than half the cabinet ministers are ethnic Chinese. These people are believed to play a positive role in maintaining the friendship with China.
More importantly, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen is well aware that China can help Cambodia to develop. After long wars, economic growth is the priority for Cambodians. Cooperating with China, which is currently the biggest donor and investor in Cambodia, can bring this country enormous economic interests.
From 1994 to 2011, China has invested over $8.8 billion. The trade volume between the two countries reached $2.5 billion in 2011, 11 times than that in 2000. The capital, technology and market of China complement Cambodia's needs well. The cheap land and labor can also benefit Chinese investors.
The stable relationship between China and Cambodia relies on common economic interests, which will not be changed by the death of Sihanouk. Amid the building of the ASEAN Free Trade Area, the trade relationship between the two countries is expected to grow much closer.
11 comments:
The chinese descents around the world now understand well of the relationship and friendschip between the 2 countries Cambodia and China.
As Khmer of Chinese descent am very proud to be Khmer and I love my country Cambodia.
If only they put Khmer's interest first...
Khmer Chinese will never put Cambodia first when it comes to personal interest. Khmer Chinese will place their business before Cambodia...then their Chinese friends then Cambodia.
I have been experienced this attitude of some Khmers toward Chinese Cambodians since 1970 then to now. Some people never accept other people who look different as Cambodians. These so called real Khmers only think they are entitle everything better without working hard for it, and they are so jealous other people who have a better off living condition.
Please look at past Cambodia constitution to see restrictions toward Chinese Cambodian: Inhibition of owning property, Inhibition of working in government, and other long list of inhibitions.
Please look at the treatment toward Chinese Cambodians during Khmer Rough and right after Vietnamese Invasion.
Please look at Chinese Cambodian contribution to current Cambodia Progress.
Please look at us differently.
Ah chin kon chiev, Ah chingy eyes 12:10 AM, chinese itself are racial toward khmer poeple, do you think chin in cambodia like cambodian? my ASS! Notice this, no ethnics cambodian in china becuz china is sucks.....no one like chinese in this world..becuz chinese are cheater. In USA there are many china towns ...WHY? becus american don't like them...american separated.
12:10am, Khmers themselves treat their own kind just as bad as mixed ethnic Khmers i.e. Khmer-Chinese, Khmer-Vietnamese, Khmer-Thai and Khmer-Lao. Remember Pol-Pot?
The point of contention is that the present Khmer government put foreign interest, in this case China, ahead of its citizens by squandering goodwill aids for their own benefits with regards to investments for the nation's future.
The discrimination that you've described is quite universal even in China where Han Chinese is dominant. Your abservation of native Khmer is quite a stereotypical views of Vietnamese and Thaitoward Khmer. It does nothing to improve understanding amongst people but perpetuating the historical hatred.
It makes me sick to hear some extremist khmers bashed Sino-khmers like this. Most Sino-Khmers are patriotic and loyal to Cambodia. Learn to accept that and live peacefully. Look around the world such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Macau, and so forth. These countries flourish due to the leadership and entrepreneurs of the ethnic Chinese. We can learn from them. Don't let a few bad apples spoil the whole basket.
It makes me sick to hear some extremist khmers bashed Sino-khmers like this. Most Sino-Khmers are patriotic and loyal to Cambodia. Learn to accept that and live peacefully. Look around the world such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Macau, and so forth. These countries flourish due to the leadership and entrepreneurs of the ethnic Chinese. We can learn from them. Don't let a few bad apples spoil the whole basket.
It makes me sick to hear some extremist khmers bashed Sino-khmers like this. Most Sino-Khmers are patriotic and loyal to Cambodia. Learn to accept that and live peacefully. Look around the world such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Macau, and so forth. These countries flourish due to the leadership and entrepreneurs of the ethnic Chinese. We can learn from them. Don't let a few bad apples spoil the whole basket.
This must be a joke. Who's pushing the poor out from their swamp houses and now sleep under the sky? Think again before you say all flowery thing. Cambodia economy is in the hands of the Chinese or thier descendants. Cambodia politic and military is in the hands of the Youns or their descendants. Cambodia people are the only losers here. Got that?
To me, those who discriminate between Khmer or Chinese are the ignorant one.
But to talk about Chinese govt. in China is difference thing. Because right now chinese govt. is taking advantage of Cambodian weak govt. or simply just a greedy govt. for $$$.
Post a Comment