Foreign minister of China arrives in Cambodia

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in Cambodia on Sunday for a three-day visit to strengthen the relationship between China and Cambodia, which are very close allies in Southeast Asia. He went to three countries for a visit – Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and now he’s in the last one.

He is visiting Cambodia and there are worries about two big Chinese projects there – a canal and a naval base. Some people think these projects could help China’s military plans in Southeast Asia.

China is Cambodia’s best friend and supporter, and it has a big impact on its economy. Many Chinese-funded projects, like airports and roads, as well as hotels, casinos and buildings, show the strong involvement of China in different areas. Cambodia owes more than 40% of its $10 billion debt to China.

Wang will have two meetings, one with Prime Minister Hun Manet and another with his father, Hun Sen. Hun Sen used to be the leader of Cambodia for 38 years before stepping down last year and his son took over. Hun Sen is now the president of the Senate. Wang got to meet with King Norodom Sihamoni.

Hun Manet is following his father’s pro-China foreign policy without changing it. In August 2023, Wang went to Cambodia not long after Hun Sen said he would stop being the prime minister and let his oldest son take over.

Beijing helps Cambodia to not care about what the Western countries are worried about, like their treatment of people and their political rights. In return, Cambodia usually agrees with Beijing about things like who owns the land in the South China Sea.

Cambodia wants to build a 180-kilometre long canal with the help of China. It will cost US$1. 7 billion and connect Phnom Penh to the Gulf of Thailand.

Neighboring Vietnam is worried about the plan. Some experts think that the 100-meter wide and 5. 4 meter deep canal could help China send military forces closer to Vietnam’s southern coast. Vietnam and China don’t get along because China says some of Vietnam’s land and ocean is theirs. In 1979, China also came into Vietnam for a short time.

The United States has also given its opinion on the project and asked the government of Cambodia to be open and honest about it. Wesley Holzer, a person who works for the US Embassy in Phnom Penh, said that people in Cambodia and nearby countries would be helped by knowing about any big projects that could affect water, farming, and safety in the area.

Hun Manet, speaking on Thursday to government officials and villagers in southern Takeo province, ignored the worries of Vietnam and promised to continue with the project. He believes the project will be very helpful for Cambodia.

China is building a navy base in Thailand that worries other countries, like the United States, because they think it will help China’s navy become stronger.

The Ream base became known in 2019 when The Wall Street Journal said a first version of a deal would let China use the base for 30 years. They could have military people there, keep weapons, and park warships.

Hun Sen said there was no agreement and that Cambodia’s constitution doesn’t allow foreign military bases. He also said that ships from any country are welcome to visit.

The base is located by the Gulf of Thailand, next to the South China Sea, where China has been very forceful about claiming almost all of the important waterway. The US doesn’t agree with China’s claim of owning a huge area of water, and often sends its military there to show that it’s open for everyone to use.

On December 7th, two Chinese navy ships were the first to park at a new pier at the base, while China’s top defense official visited Cambodia.