Strategic and World Affairs Analysis

  Historically speaking, China is one of the oldest friends of Cambodia. China started relationship with Cambodia when Chinese diplomat came to visit Angkor City in 1298 (Zhou 2007). From time to time, China’s foreign policy towards Cambodia has changed. China gave its assistance to King Norodom Sihanouk while he was in power in the 1960s. Then, China kept giving aid to Cambodia during Khmer Rouge leadership from 1975 – 1979 when Pol Pot was a leader. During Khmer Rouge regime, 1.7 million people died of starvation, overworked, diseases and execution. On 7 January 1979, Khmer Rouge regime was collapsed when Vietnamese army came to occupy Cambodia and installed a new government, Heng Samrin government. Then Khmer Rouge army shifted to the northwest of Cambodia along Thai border. China still kept supporting the Khmer Rouge with weapons, military training till 1990. In 1993, the election was held in Cambodia after the Paris Peace Agreement. The government of Cambodia was for...

  I. Introduction India – Cambodia relations have existed since the 1st century AD when Hindu and Buddhist religious and cultural influences spread out of India to various parts of Southeast Asia. Cambodia today is predominantly Buddhist, but it is remained a strong influence of Hindu rituals, idolatry and mythology. The pervading influence of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Indian architecture are found in the historical sites such as Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon, Ta Phrom and other religious place in Cambodia. India – Cambodia bilateral relations are warm and cordial. During 1954-1958, India was a chairman of the International Control Commission (ICC), which played a very important role in solving the issues in Indo-China. During this period, Nehru brought Prince Sihanouk to meet Chou En-lai at Bandong in the Asian – African Conference. The Chinese premier promised nonintervention in Southeast Asia and began friendship with Cambodia, which has lasted more than a decade. Mo...

Does Cambodia really swing toward China and leave from its close ally, Vietnam? Currently, Cambodian government seems to focus on the border issues with its neighboring country, Vietnam. It is, in fact, hardly raised to talk about this issue with the government of Cambodia. So far, when Cambodian people raised the concern on the issues, and talk about illegal Vietnamese immigrants in Cambodia, the government took it for granted. Moreover, some government officials came to oppose the civic views and claim that there are no Vietnamese immigrants staying in Cambodia. According to this, the government of Cambodia was seen to be a pro-Vietnam the same as what people and the opposition party said. Yet, the government of Cambodia is likely to change its behavior toward Vietnam. Remarkably, Cambodia has changed its behavior towards Vietnam since the 1997 coup. Cambodia has shifted more cordially with China under Hun Sen leadership, for Cambodia need to develop its economics. Nev...