(12)Vietnam's Tension Rises Over Cambodia's 'Pro-China' Flag

Cambodia's impressive gold medal haul at the Southeast Asian Games, coupled with significant Chinese support, the increasing Chinese influence in Sihanoukville, and the controversial naval base issue! What are the reasons behind the close relationship between Cambodia and China, and how does it escalate tensions with Vietnam?

2023-06-12
(12)Vietnam's Tension Rises Over Cambodia's 'Pro-China' Flag

Cambodia achieved an impressive performance at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, largely thanks to substantial support from China. China invited 160 Cambodian athletes for intensive training over seven months, covering all transportation, accommodation, and food expenses. They also built the 60,000-seat Morodok Techo National Stadium free of charge. This highlights the close relationship between Cambodia and China. However, the influx of Chinese capital has led to a surge in casinos, hotels, and other businesses in Sihanoukville, effectively placing the city under Chinese control. The number of Chinese tourists visiting the city of 150,000 people reached approximately 170,000 in 2019, with around 100,000 Chinese residents. This has caused Cambodian businesses to either collapse or relocate. Furthermore, there are suspicions that China is attempting to control the Ream Naval Base, which poses a significant security threat to Vietnam. China has installed radar around the base, allowing them to monitor Vietnam's activities, escalating tensions between the two countries. This situation could significantly impact Cambodia's future and the security of the Southeast Asian region.

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