Interview with Kin Phea, Director of the Royal Academy of Cambodia's Center for Southeast Asian Studies
Strong, unwavering alliance between China and Cambodia consistently yields success
Question: What can we expect from Xi Jinping's visit to Cambodia and what key areas or topics are you focusing on?
Kin Phea: We anticipate deepening political and economic ties during Xi Jinping's visit to Cambodia. Key focus areas include fortifying mutual understanding and trust, bolstering mutually beneficial cooperation in advanced manufacturing, AI, agricultural supply chains, and industrial upgrading, strengthening security cooperation, and promoting people-to-people exchanges.
Question: How do you assess the development trend of the China-Cambodia bilateral relationship in recent years?
Kin Phea: The China-Cambodia relationship has undergone significant evolution, moving from a donor-recipient dynamic towards a more balanced partnership centered on trade and investment. The countries have strengthened their comprehensive strategic partnership, with cooperation under the Diamond Hexagon framework in areas such as politics, production capacity, agriculture, energy, security, and people-to-people exchanges.
Question: How does Cambodia maintain a balance in its diplomacy with major powers?
Kin Phea: Cambodia is managing its diplomatic relationships by striking a balance between ties with China and addressing pressures and economic challenges from the West. This includes consolidating access to China's market and capital while maintaining relationships with other major powers.
Question: What is the potential for breakthroughs in China-Cambodia economic and trade cooperation?
Kin Phea: The potential for breakthroughs in economic and trade cooperation between China and Cambodia is high, with considerations given to advanced manufacturing, AI, agricultural supply chains, and industrial upgrading. Agreements and initiatives like the Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement, advancements in structural economic integration, and alignment with China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) hold immense promise.
Question: What role can the China-Cambodia relationship play in China's neighborhood diplomacy?
Kin Phea: The China-Cambodia relationship can play a vital role in China's neighborhood diplomacy by setting an example of a successful model for building a "community with a shared future." This model emphasizes deepening mutual trust, economic integration, and strategic cooperation, serving as a blueprint for other bilateral relationships in the region.
Enrichment Data:
- The China-Cambodia relationship has experienced a significant transformation, shifting from a donor-recipient dynamic to a more balanced partnership focused on trade and investment.
- Cooperation under the Diamond Hexagon framework involves areas like politics, production capacity, agriculture, energy, security, and people-to-people exchanges.
- The China-Cambodia comprehensive strategic partnership has strengthened due to deepening ties in various sectors.
- Cambodia is navigating its diplomatic relationships by consolidating access to China's market and capital while maintaining relations with other major powers, as a counterbalance to pressures from the West.
- Breakthroughs in economic and trade cooperation between China and Cambodia can be made in areas such as advanced manufacturing, AI, agricultural supply chains, and industrial upgrading. Agreements and initiatives are being made to further structural economic integration and align with China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
- The China-Cambodia relationship can serve as a successful model in China's neighborhood diplomacy, emphasizing deepening mutual trust, economic integration, and strategic cooperation, and thus setting a positive example for other bilateral relationships in the region.
- The economic recovery of Cambodia may see significant advancements during Xi Jinping's visit, with key areas such as advanced manufacturing, AI, agricultural supply chains, and industrial upgrading expected to receive focus.
- The relationship between China and Cambodia has progressed beyond a donor-recipient dynamic, solidifying into a balanced partnership centered on trade and investment.
- In order to maintain a balance in its diplomacy, Cambodia is nurturing both ties with China and relationships with other major powers, while also addressing economic challenges from the West.
- The China-Cambodia relationship could potentially serve as a breakthrough example in China's neighborhood diplomacy, emphasizing mutual trust, economic integration, and strategic cooperation.
