NVDB005_-_CH_3.001._Cambodia’s_triangular_relations_with_China_and_Vietnam_-_Amb._Julio-3

Diplomatic Briefing — KAS Cambodia and CICP

14 — DP Vol. 05

Cambodia’s Triangular Relations with China and Vietnam

bilateral trade to over US$ 10 billion by 2023. 5

Cambodia’s close relationship with China has come at a cost nevertheless. Other ASEAN countries have been critical of Cambodia’s muted reaction to China’s action in the South China Sea. 6 Similarly, the United States has slapped an arms embargo on Cambodia and also targeted the country’s Army Intelligence Unit, adding it to a list of seven other intelligence units “deemed a risk to US national interests. 7

Cambodia’s substantial relationship with Vietnam since Hanoi intervened to overthrow Democratic Kampuchea (Pol Pot’s regime) in late 1978 has remained constant. This year, the two countries will celebrate the 55th Anniversary of the establishment

5 Khmer Times, November 24, 2021

6 The Straits Times, Singapore, 29 October 2020

7 Los Angeles Times, December 9, 2021 and VOD English, 9 December 2021

of diplomatic relations (1967-2022) and the very successful visit of Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc to Cambodia in late 2021, is an indication that the bonds remain unaltered.

However, there are ongoing issues that continue to pose challenges to the relationship. Land demarcation remains a politically controversial issue, often used by the exiled opposition to attack the government, even though 84% of the Cambodia-Vietnam border has already been demarcated.

Another issue that presents continuous challenges to the friendly relations between the two countries is the presence of illegal Vietnamese migrants in Cambodia, said to be between 400.000 and 700.000, with a great majority not in possession of identity documents. 8

8 Minority Rights Group International, “Cambodia – Ethnic Vietnamese,” 7 November 2017, https://minorityrights.org/ minorities/ethnic-vietnamese

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (L) shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the welcome ceremony for the Belt and Road Forum, at the International Conference Center in Yanqi Lake, north of Beijing, China May 15, 2017. REUTERS/Kenzaburo Fukuhara/Pool