Diverting from China: Cambodia’s foreign policy in a new era

Chhay Lim and Kimpor Try

While there is leeway for Cambodia to hedge and pursue an independent foreign policy, the new government under Hun Manet has no choice but to continue diversifying strategic and economic partners.

Southeast Asia9DLJuly 3, 20249DASHLINE, Chhay Lim, Kimpor Try, Diverting from China: Cambodia’s foreign policy in a new era, China, Southeast Asia, Cambodia, Chinese global agendas, China’s regional interests, comprehensive strategic partnership, highest status in Cambodia’s three-tier diplomatic hierarchy, Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), Chinese Communist Party, unbreakable ironclad friendship, Xi Jinping, Southeast asia, South China Sea, Global South, Phnom Penh, Global Civilization Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative (GSI), Hun Manet, Hun Sen, 'One China' principle, community of shared future, United States, Angkor Sentinel, Vietnam, Thailand, Funan-Techo Canal Project, Preah Vihear border conflict, multi-dimensional approach, third way, Japan, Australia, diversification, balanced and pragmatic approach to diplomacy, 2012 ASEAN Chairmanship, 2022 ASEAN Chairmanship, Myanmar, ussian invasion of Ukraine, annexation of Ukrainian territory, condemning the Russian invasion, Japanese global initiatives, Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy, Cambodia's independent foreign policy, Chinese client state

Sustaining change in Cambodia: Hun Manet's journey of steady reform

Written by Jason Chumtong and Soth Chhayheng

The initial months of Hun Manet’s rule have been guided by public interest and the introduction of long-term strategies for the nation's progress to 2050, prompting reflection on the advancement of his vision for Cambodia's role in the region.

Southeast Asia9DLJanuary 25, 20249dashline, Sustaining change in Cambodia: Hun Manet's journey of steady reform, Jason Chumtong, Soth Chhayheng, Cambodia, Hun Manet, Hun Sen, long-term strategies, strategic policies, stability, foreign affairs, Pentagon Strategy, Kingdom of Cambodia, human capital development, economic diversification, economic competitiveness, private sector development, resilient development, sustainable development, inclusive development, digital economy, digital society, strategic shift, strategic guidance, collaboration, transregional political alliances, contemporary global strategies, reform, inclusive governance models, power sharing, domestic politics, opposition parties, competitive elections, least developed country, LDC, economic policies, economic reform, economic growth, foreign investment, national self-reliance, preferential market access, development aid, exports, garment industry, Everything But Arms, EBA, EU, duty-free access schemes, US market, EU market, Prime Minister, Prime Minister Hun Manet, human capital, social welfare, employment opportunities, healthcare, foreign direct investment, 43rd ASEAN Summit, ASEAN, UNGA, Saudi Arabia, ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit, ASEAN-Japan Summit, Sretta Thavisin, diplomatic gesture, state visits, mass immigration, water disputes, energy resource exploration, indo-pacific, Victoria Nuland, Cambodia-US relations, USAID, diplomatic ties, US-China rivalry, Ream Naval Base, Brazil, diversification, Emmanuel Macron, France, political leadership, Khmer politics, fiscal policy, bilateral meetings, World Economic Forum, inauguration

China, transnational organised crime, and Southeast Asia’s SEZs — is this Quid pro quo?

Written by Marco Neveu and Charlie Thame

Xi’s anti-corruption projects in the mainland seem to have sparked a degree of outward mobility by the triads from the authoritarian domestic core towards the more liminal and experimental periphery of Chinese influence.

Faultlines9DLNovember 11, 20229DashLine, China, transnational organised crime, and Southeast Asia’s SEZs: Quid pro quo?, Marco Neveu, Charlie Thame, crime, Southeast Asia, Radio Free Asia, Laos, Malaysian workers, Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (GTSEZ), enclave, Laotian, Chinese, Hong Kong, Kings Roman Group, torture, slavery, Sexual Slavery, online scam, Special Economic Zone, ASEAN, organised crime, transnational organised criminal (TOC), UNODC, global supply chains, trafficking, human trafficking, corruption, Thai, Thailand, neo-colonialist, exploitation, Sexual exploitation, economic development, FDI, Xi Jinping, authoritarian, Cold War, Truman administration, United Nations, UN, Bretton Woods institutions, Asian Development Bank, Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Sihanoukville SEZ, Sihanoukville, Cambodia, scam, China’s Ministry of Commerce, Overseas Trade and Cooperation, Myanmar, Belt and Road Initiative, Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), state-owned enterprises, China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), triad, triads, Han nationalist, secret societies, Qing dynasty, Kuomintang (KMT), Bamboo Union, Chang An-lo, Taiwan, anti-corruption campaign, gangs, spies, Intelligence, patriotism, Americas, Beijing, Chang An-lo (“White Wolf”), Wan Kuok-koi (“Broken Tooth”), Zhao Wei, Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah, diplomacy, police, crime syndicate, Hun Sen, APEC 2022 forum, APEC

Six months on: Cambodia as ASEAN chair

Written by Kimkong Heng

Although there is speculation that US President Joe Biden will attend the East Asia Summit, will he be willing to sit for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin or his substitute? Cambodia will have to balance multiple pressures while hosting these high-level meetings.

Realistic path forward: Malaysia’s call for rethinking the ASEAN-Myanmar ‘consensus’

Written by Bridget Welsh

Since 2018, Malaysian governments have been proactive in drawing attention to conditions within Myanmar, with the current foreign minister, Saifuddin Abdullah, and former foreign minister, Syed Hamid Albar, actively engaged in seeking solutions to the crisis.

With ASEAN Snub, Myanmar junta signals return to Cold War isolationism

Written by Hunter Marston

The junta knows it needs the support of Moscow and Beijing in the UN Security Council to prevent international action such as an arms embargo, which has failed to pass given their veto powers.

After a year of fighting Myanmar's junta is showing frustration

Written by Angshuman Choudhury

Long wars become even more difficult for the primary aggressors when they lack local support or popular legitimacy, which is certainly the case with the military in Myanmar today.

The Tatmadaw’s flawed theory of victory

Written by Zachary Abuza

Entering the second year, one thing is certain: the military is getting both frustrated and desperate. Generals are being rotated and replaced with loyalists. The army will increase attacks on civilians, and that will further weaken morale for all but the most hardcore and indoctrinated.

2022: Does ASEAN have a leadership deficit?

Although Indonesia, which accounts for half of ASEAN’s size and wealth, is the natural leader of the grouping when it does not actively lead, the group is further weakened.

Myanmar’s divided state leaves thousands of its people in the lurch

Written by Hunter Marston

Until some sort of political solution is achieved, Myanmar’s civilian population will remain torn between the current chaos of poverty and armed conflict on the one hand, and an as-yet-unrealised future built on principles of democracy and federalism towards which they are striving.

South China Sea dispute: The three challenges to ASEAN’s position

Written by Kalvin Fung

ASEAN members such as Indonesia might find themselves mired in a quagmire: recognising a regime lambasted for its terrible human rights record might save ASEAN unity but could draw further condemnation from the West and international media; rejecting the junta might jeopardise regional unity and delay the long-awaited COC.

In Brief: Hunter Marston on democracy and hedging strategies in the Indo-Pacific

With Hunter Marston

For the foreseeable future, small powers in Southeast Asia will cling to their independent foreign policies and seek to diversify their foreign relations in an attempt to find a balance that allows them more options and to avoid choosing sides in the brewing superpower rivalry.

Enormous setbacks to Myanmar’s democracy: The path forward examined

Written by Hunter Marston

Kurt Campbell, who Biden named Coordinator for Indo-Pacific Affairs, was an integral architect of the Obama administration’s “opening to Burma”. He will likely have some sleepless nights once again designing US Myanmar policy. It is unclear what options Washington now has left beyond widening sanctions against the military.

Editor's Picks9DLFebruary 4, 2021Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi, coup d'etat, China, United States, Kurt Campbell, Win Myint, Yangon, Covid-19, Min Aung Hlaing, USDP, NLD, National League for Democracy, Burma, Burmese, NDSC, U Myint Swe, Rohingya, Myo Nyunt, Cambodia, Hun Sen, Naypyidaw, Thailand, Obama, Biden, Tatmadaw

Cambodia: Treason trials the latest in the country’s slide to autocracy

Written by Rhona Smith

The trials are the latest in a long line of proceedings against opposition political actors in Cambodia. Laws on plotting, incitement and defamation are regularly invoked to arrest and detain individuals. Often, individuals are then released from detention under judicial supervision, so neither detained nor charged.

Faultlines9DLJanuary 14, 2021Cambodia, Hun Sen, ASEAN, democracy, Southeast Asia, Sam Rainsy, United Nations