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Q3. What is your evaluation of the balance of relations between China and the U.S.
in Cambodia?
ANSWER: There is no real comparison to make. China is dominant in all fields –
economic, political, diplomatic and military. Cambodia and China raised bilateral
relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Cooperation in 2006. Hun Sen
is a strong supporter of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. China provided Cambodia with
an estimated US $100 million in military assistance in 2018.
The United States, in contrast, is heavily constrained by legislation restricting military-
to-military cooperation with governments that undermine democracy and violate
human rights. The Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018 Title IV, for example,
expresses serious concern over the rule of law and civil liberties in Cambodia and
prohibits any funding that benefits the Cambodian government. It was Cambodia that
cancelled military exercises with the United States and the ball is still in Cambodia’s
court.
Suggested citation: Carlyle A. Thayer, “Cambodia’s Hun Manet Invited to Attend the
U.S. Pacific Area Special Operations Conference,” Thayer Consultancy Background
Brief, April 8, 2019. All background briefs are posted on Scribd.com (search for
Thayer). To remove yourself from the mailing list type, UNSUBSCRIBE in the Subject
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Thayer Consultancy provides political analysis of current regional security issues and
other research support to selected clients. Thayer Consultancy was officially
registered as a small business in Australia in 2002.