ARTICLES

22 May 2023

Cambodia Has Benefited From BRI projects, but Must be More Strategic Going Forward

Jayant Menon

Cambodia’s participation in the Belt and Road Initiative has strengthened relations with China and brought net benefits, but also highlighted the risks of over-reliance on one country and the need for a more comprehensive framework for evaluating new investments.

18 Apr 2023

Making Sense of Cambodia’s Reaction to AUKUS

Chansambath Bong

Cambodia’s reaction to the trilateral nuclear-technology sharing deal between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States can best be described as lukewarm. It would be an oversimplification to say that AUKUS will have no adverse effects on Southeast Asia.

AUKUS Cambodia

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang holds a welcoming ceremony for Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia Hun Sen ahead of their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on February 10, 2023. (photo: Wang Wenbin Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson / Facebook)

14 Mar 2023

Can Cambodia’s Future Foreign Policy Diverge from China?

Melinda Martinus|Chhay Lim

Whether Cambodia can truly forge a foreign policy that stands apart from China will impact the next generation of Cambodian leaders at home and abroad.

Cambodia Cambodia-China Relations Cambodia-Russia relations

8 Feb 2023

Reflections on ASEAN’s Special Envoys’ Efforts in Myanmar

Kasit Piromya

Kasit Piromya shares reflections on efforts made by ASEAN’s special envoys to Myanmar.

ASEAN ASEANFocus Cambodia Myanmar

16 Nov 2022

ASEAN’s Season of Summitry: More Hits or Misses?

Sharon Seah|Joanne Lin|Melinda Martinus

Going into 2022, ASEAN flew into a perfect storm of challenges within and without. With the annual ASEAN summits over, the grouping is none the worse for the wear.

ASEAN ASEAN Summit Cambodia

8 Nov 2022

Easy Highway, Troubled City: How China Wins and Loses Cambodians’ Hearts

Chanrith Ngin

Two China-driven projects show striking contrasts. The newly opened Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway has been well-received by Cambodians. But grand plans for Sihanoukville to be an investment hub and “multi-purpose” city have instead seen Chinese businesses crowding out locals, a boom-bust cycle in construction and illicit trades.

Belt and Road Initiative Cambodia China Infrastructure

12 Sep 2022

The Undetermined Costs and Benefits of Cambodia’s Engagement with China’s Belt and Road Initiative

Chanrith Ngin

This Long Read argues that despite common perceptions of Cambodia as a ‘client state’ of China due to its dependence on Chinese aid and investment, Cambodia does exercise agency and has been diversifying its donors and investors to meet its economic needs.

Belt and Road Initiative Cambodia China-Cambodia Relations

20 Jun 2022

Unpacking Cambodia’s 2022 Defence White Paper

Chansambath Bong

Cambodia’s 2022 Defence White Paper reiterates longstanding priorities of border security, counterterrorism and domestic stability like its predecessors, but contains an unprecedented focus on cyber defence and ambitious modernisation goals.

Cambodia Cyber Security

16 Jun 2022

Having it Both Ways? Cambodia’s Superpower Balancing Act

Chanrith Ngin

The Cambodian People’s Party needs China, Cambodia’s top donor and investor, to sustain economic growth and reduce poverty to win the next election, which is vital to its legitimacy.

Cambodia Cambodia-China Relations International Relations

25 May 2022

The War in Ukraine: Cambodia’s Surprisingly Hard-line Stand

Ian Storey

Cambodia’s hearty relations with Russia means that it should have taken a less strident view of the latter’s invasion of Ukraine. Intriguingly, Phnom Penh’s position has tacked closer to Western critics of the Kremlin.

Cambodia Cambodia-Russia relations International Relations Russia