Sihanoukville, Seen Through the Eyes of a Chinese Blogger

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Clutch Cargo
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Re: Sihanoukville, Seen Through the Eyes of a Chinese Blogger

Post by Clutch Cargo »

I can't help but think western nations are largely to blame for this.

Apart from humanitarian aid post KR, seems to me the govt here doesn't have many friends/allies in the west. HE himself has mentioned that whenever he meets western politicians they talk to him about human rights and when is he going to have free elections. Conversely, when he visits China they don't talk to him about such things.

I think I saw another thread the EU are going to impose sanctions on Cambodia. Heck, even the US is demanding that Cambodia repay old Vietnam war era loans..loans that were intended for food after the khmers were displaced from their farmlands after the illegally bombing by the US.

These things, together with the prospect of investment via the road and belt initiative, who do you think he's gonna align himself with? His friend. I know its probably a moot point but arguably western countries have pushed him further in that direction than needed to. And unfortunately, there are consequences when you have just one major ally like that...as we are seeing.
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Re: Sihanoukville, Seen Through the Eyes of a Chinese Blogger

Post by offroadscholar »

clutchcargo wrote: Sun Jan 13, 2019 8:31 am I can't help but think western nations are largely to blame for this.

Apart from humanitarian aid post KR, seems to me the govt here doesn't have many friends/allies in the west. HE himself has mentioned that whenever he meets western politicians they talk to him about human rights and when is he going to have free elections. Conversely, when he visits China they don't talk to him about such things.

I think I saw another thread the EU are going to impose sanctions on Cambodia. Heck, even the US is demanding that Cambodia repay old Vietnam war era loans..loans that were intended for food after the khmers were displaced from their farmlands after the illegally bombing by the US.

These things, together with the prospect of investment via the road and belt initiative, who do you think he's gonna align himself with? His friend. I know its probably a moot point but arguably western countries have pushed him further in that direction than needed to. And unfortunately, there are consequences when you have just one major ally like that...as we are seeing.
Problem for HE was he knew he couldn't win a free and fair election, hence holding back a lot of strings attached Western aid.
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Re: Sihanoukville, Seen Through the Eyes of a Chinese Blogger

Post by Cricket99 »

clutchcargo wrote: Sun Jan 13, 2019 8:31 am I can't help but think western nations are largely to blame for this.

Apart from humanitarian aid post KR, seems to me the govt here doesn't have many friends/allies in the west. HE himself has mentioned that whenever he meets western politicians they talk to him about human rights and when is he going to have free elections. Conversely, when he visits China they don't talk to him about such things.

I think I saw another thread the EU are going to impose sanctions on Cambodia. Heck, even the US is demanding that Cambodia repay old Vietnam war era loans..loans that were intended for food after the khmers were displaced from their farmlands after the illegally bombing by the US.

These things, together with the prospect of investment via the road and belt initiative, who do you think he's gonna align himself with? His friend. I know its probably a moot point but arguably western countries have pushed him further in that direction than needed to. And unfortunately, there are consequences when you have just one major ally like that...as we are seeing.
The EU is not going to impose sanctions, they are reconsidering the everything but arms deal, the US is going to review their deal as well. These deals are one of the main reasons the Chinese factories are here. Also, just how many allies does a country of 16 million need, especially when their neighbors rarely even think about them regardless of what Cambodia thinks.
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Re: Sihanoukville, Seen Through the Eyes of a Chinese Blogger

Post by frank lee bent »

Smaller than Oklahoma however you slice it and with less resources other than strategic geography.
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Re: Sihanoukville, Seen Through the Eyes of a Chinese Blogger

Post by Clutch Cargo »

Also, just how many allies does a country of 16 million need, especially when their neighbors rarely even think about them regardless of what Cambodia thinks
Do you mean in context of a military ally? I was thinking more in terms of economic friends/allies and then the more the better I would think. Having 1 major one creates dependency such that you scared to say anything that will upset them and turn the taps off.
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Re: Sihanoukville, Seen Through the Eyes of a Chinese Blogger

Post by offroadscholar »

Cricket99 wrote: Sun Jan 13, 2019 9:31 am The EU is not going to impose sanctions, they are reconsidering the everything but arms deal, the US is going to review their deal as well.
These deals are one of the main reasons the Chinese factories are here.
Thats where it could get interesting between the Chinese and HE.
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Re: Sihanoukville, Seen Through the Eyes of a Chinese Blogger

Post by Cricket99 »

clutchcargo wrote: Sun Jan 13, 2019 10:04 am
Also, just how many allies does a country of 16 million need, especially when their neighbors rarely even think about them regardless of what Cambodia thinks
Do you mean in context of a military ally? I was thinking more in terms of economic friends/allies and then the more the better I would think. Having 1 major one creates dependency such that you scared to say anything that will upset them and turn the taps off.
Ya, I meant military allies. I would view economic allies more as trading partners, in which case, yes, I agree, the more the merrier. But, again, 16 million citizens doesn't necessarily need to become a stomping grounds for the world powers to fight over economically, but Cambodia does seem to like being the center of attention. As FLB said, location wise, it is somewhat strategically important but I don't think it is as important as many have made it out to be.
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Re: Sihanoukville, Seen Through the Eyes of a Chinese Blogger

Post by Kammekor »

frank lee bent wrote: Sun Jan 13, 2019 9:53 am Smaller than Oklahoma however you slice it and with less resources other than strategic geography.
I don't see the strategic geography of Cambodia to be honest. The main reasons for the Chinese to be here are the EBA agreement with the EU and the more or less dysfunctional national government. The combination of those two provide the Chinese with a very interesting playing field with loads of opportunities not available in China.
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Re: Sihanoukville, Seen Through the Eyes of a Chinese Blogger

Post by taabarang »

"Conversely, when he visits China they don't talk to him about such things."

Of course they don't; it's of no interest to either side. It. seems to me that"The enemy of my enemy is my friend" is at play with. this rejuvenated fraternal. brotherhood. I have. little doubt that Hanoi is viewing this renewed rapprochement with great trepidation.
As my old Cajun bait seller used to say, "I opes you luck.
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Re: Sihanoukville, Seen Through the Eyes of a Chinese Blogger

Post by Clutch Cargo »

taabarang wrote: Sun Jan 13, 2019 10:49 am I have. little doubt that Hanoi is viewing this renewed rapprochement with great trepidation.
Yuh, given they are traditional enemies... PRC would presumably take great joy in seemingly driving a wedge of influence between Thailand and Vietnam.. And they'd love to get port access out of Koh Kong even tho for the moment HE said no.
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