Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) yesterday completed a two-day state visit to Cambodia, capping a three-nation tour that included stops in Vietnam and Malaysia at a time when all three Southeast Asian countries are facing economic challenges from US President Donald Trump’s tariff proposals.
China has been strongly increasing its influence in the region over the past decade, largely by exercising its substantial economic leverage.
Cambodia faces among the highest “reciprocal” tariff rates proposed by the US. In addition to Trump’s universal 10 percent tariff, it faces the threat of a 49 percent tariff once the 90-day pause expires. For Vietnam, the tariff would be 46 percent and for Malaysia, 24 percent.
Photo: AKP via AP
“This milestone visit not only reaffirmed the unwavering commitment to the iron-clad friendship between Cambodia and China, but also further strengthened and deepened the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and win-win cooperation between the two countries,” Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
Xi and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet also presided over the signing of 37 documents covering investment, trade, education, finance, information, youth work, agriculture, health, water resources, tourism, women’s affairs and other subjects.
Beijing’s strong support allows Cambodia to largely disregard Western criticisms regarding its government’s human rights record and suppression of political opposition. Cambodia for its part generally supports China’s stance on its widely disputed territorial claims in the South China Sea and other controversial issues.
“The Cambodian side reiterated its resolute adherence to the one-China policy and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory,” the ministry said. “Cambodia also expressed opposition to any attempts of interference in the internal affairs of China.”
The statement also declared that “both sides agreed to further strengthen the cooperation mechanism between the armed forces of the two countries.”
Beijing helped fund an expansion of the Ream Naval Base on Cambodia’s southern coast, raising worries it could become a strategic outpost for the Chinese navy in the Gulf of Thailand.
Cambodia has repeatedly denied any agreement granting China special privileges or the establishment of a foreign military base.
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