In the last few days, there are debates raging on about Cambodia's close relationships with China and whether China or America, is the best protector/backer of Cambodia.
I now invite all readers to write a full length article to the question below:
Q. Which country, China or America, should Cambodia choose to be its backer? Why?
In your analysis, you should include:
- Pros and cons of each country
-economic and military power of each country.
-democratic principles versus human rights issues.
-strengths and weaknesses of each country
- the historical relationships of each country with Cambodia, eg China supported the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s and the U.S supported Gen. Lon Lon's the Khmer Republic.
-how each country can help Cambodia economically or militarily. How can they protect Cambodia from our neighbours in the future?
-Please avoid using obscene and offensive language against your opponents. I shall select one or two good comments to publish in the front page later.
Khmerization
32 comments:
CHINA because she will be the next Super Power in Asia. She also a long friend of Cambodia through centuries. Good or bad Cambodia and PRC went through togethers.
Our enemies Thailand, now Viets are close to America.
Don't get me wrong, I lived in U.S.A and I love and loyal to America always. It make sense for Cambodia to fully on China side. America usually favors a bigger and more profitable country such as Saim, Viets.
Where as China she wants who ever on her side, poor or rich. China never had a history of taken our land and hand over to our two enemies neighbors. ONLY EUROPEAN, AMERICA DID.
In time of war with our two enemies PRC is the closes to help us.
china is the one i chose.its our closes friend and nieghbor. we been our sides since china were three kingdoms.
When it gets too hot with foreign policies, America will bail out as always. History will tell you that. America is not a reliable friend to count on. She only use you for her own interest. Now she try to befriend with her old enemy(VietCong) so what is tell you about America??
America foreign policy was inconsistence. After all that fighting against communist Vietnam for over a decade, America retreated in 1975. It ran for its own life and left Cambodia, Laos, and south Vietnam to the mercy of the communist. For Cambodia in was a devestating blow. It meant victorious for the communist Khmer Rouge regime which Cambodia had fought so hard against. The aftermath was genicide of 2 millions Cambodian by the hand of the Khmer Rouge. If America stayed to finish the job like it suppose to, 2 millions Cambodian lives didn't have to die and Cambodia doesn't have start over from scratch. This was America greatest mistake, a failure to protect her interest. The consequences cost millions of lives. Many Cambodian are very resentful of America for this. At the beginning, Cambodia was neutral, one thing lead another, she was dragged into America's war. At the end, Cambodia lost the most. America must take the responsibility to rebuild Cambodia.
Since China also had its hand dirty in Cambodia, China is honoring that trust by helping Cambodia pick herself back up. Currrent Cambodia economic progress is the involvement of China. On the contrary, America has been very short coming as far as helping to rebuild Cambodia. There are rules and guidelines of reformation for Cambodia to follow in order to receive any aid. For Cambodia just waking up from dead, there is very little time for that. So turning to China and becoming under China's wing was a necessary choice to rebuild her economy, infrastructors, etc.
I will choose America as Cambodia's backer because it is the world's superpower, militarily and economically.
Though America is sometimes an unreliable friend, such as abandoning the Khmer Republic, the South Vietnamese government and, to a certain extent, betraying its allies, like in the case of Manuel Noriega of Panama, Saddam Hussein of Iraq etc, it's been proven that those countries who had been good allies of America, like Israel, Thailand, Turkey, Taiwan etc, have prospered economically and militarily.
America will always come to the aid of its allies in the case of threats or attacks from other countries, like it has protected Israel from the threats from Arab countries, protected Thailand from threats from neighboring countries (such as when Vietnam invaded Cambodia in 1979) and protected Taiwan from China's bully.
Also, America is a democratic country where people have all the freedom within the frameworks of the law to do anything, including criticizing the government and the leaders of the country. And as a result, America can help spread democracy to Cambodia.
America respects the rule of law and respect human rights where the courts reign supreme. Furthermore, American businessmen, who are one of the world's richest men, will invest in Cambodia when Cambodia has the rule of laws and is able to cut corruption, like they have invested in other countries where there is the rule of laws.
China, on the other hand,is only second to America in term of economic prosperity and in term of military power, it is ranked third behind Russia and America. China is a communist country and has violated the human rights of political activists as well as minority ethnic groups living in China. As a result, China can help spread human rights abuses to Cambodia, help export communism to Cambodia, like during the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s.
In Cambodia today, Chinese investors are practicing irresponsible investments by corruptly paying Cambodian officials to do almost whatever they wanted, including deforestation and causing environmental destruction in Cambodia. China's growing economic power might help boost Cambodia's economy, but at what cost, considering that almost all Chinese investors in Cambodia are the types of get-rich-quick investors, who come in, get rick quick and make a dash back to China in no time.
China has supported the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s to great disaster to the Khmer nation, as has been seen by the deaths of nearly 2 million Khmer people under the Khmer Rouge hands. Although China had tried hard to be a true ally of Cambodia, China was not able to protect Cambodia from Vietnam's invasion in 1979, despite it had briefly invaded northern Vietnam to help Cambodia.
In conclusion, with the pros and cons above, I would let all readers to make their own judgment as to which country, China or America, would make the best friend and be the best backer of Cambodia.
Can anyone name a few good things about what America have done for Cambodia beside politics.
Please insert this comment above "in conclusion..."
May add to my comments at 9:45 PM. Currently, many Cambodians believe that China aided in the economic growth of Cambodia, while thinking that America had abandoned Cambodia altogether. This is a misconception because the current government is actively publicizing China's investments on a grand scale, while trying as much to keep American economic contributions to Cambodia as quiet as possible.
We Cambodians must not be oblivious to the fact that America has contributed to Cambodia's economic growth more than any other countries. We must remember that America was the one who kick-started the Cambodian economy in the 1990s by offering Cambodia the most favored nation status, which means any goods exported from Cambodia to America will pay very little tax/tariffs. As as result of the status, many companies had invested in Cambodia, mainly the garment industries. Today, the garment industries employed over 400,000 Cambodians and garment exports, totaled about $3 billion, made up about 80% Cambodia's total exports. Out of the $3 billion, around more than $2 billion are exported to America. On the other had, America only exported less than $60 million to Cambodia.
By contrast, China's investments are not as beneficial to Cambodia as it seemed. Many China's projects are paid by Cambodia's natural resources, such as forests, mining, oil and gases. On top of these, most projects are carried out by loans from China, which means our children and grand children will have a hard time paying off these Chinese debts.
In term of a two-way trade between Cambodia and China, Cambodia loses badly. Cambodia only exported to China around $160 million annually, but but Cambodia imported from China worth around $800 million.
So, we can see that America, which sold about $60 million worth of goods to Cambodia, but bought more than $2 billion from Cambodia, has provided more economic benefits to Cambodia than China did because China sold about $800 million worth of goods to Cambodia, but only bought about $160 million from Cambodia.
I agree with some points America helP contributed to Cambodia Economic Growth, but she has play a hand in abandoned Khmer Republic in the 70's.
America is also actively supporting Siam with modern weapons, training. She also stay quiet as Siam trying to take our land by forces several times. She also helped drawn that dam map that the Siam uses to talk to us, illegal unilateral drawn map, As the ONLY SUPER POWER she could help stop this kind of illegal aggression quickly.
Now America more likely will sell most sophisticate modern weapons to our bitter enemy Viets, just because she wants to use Viets to counter China disregard of our safety. What do you think the Viets going to do to these weapons when she has conflict with us over the lands that they had stolen from us ? Did you know Siam uses cluster munitions supply by U.S on our soldiers.
America not helping FUNCINPEC when she was been slaughter by Hun Sen and Viets in 1997 take over. America ONLY gave lip services condemning CPP.
America trying to block the urgent UN Security Meeting in New York when Siam attacked our forces.
America trying
I can go etc etc. America is the best country in the world when you lived here. She not perfect but compassionate, to her peoples. I had immigrated from Cambodia since 1981. I am loyal to America and love this country, but when it come to American policies on Cambodia I must disagree and this is what make America great. I can disagree without get my head chop off like in Cambodia. I hope America will find balance toward our beloved Cambodia. We don't want special treatments but just fairness and justice for Cambodia.
both,,,
- continue from 9:16 PM
Maybe someone could prove me wrong on this. Statistically since 1994 to mid 2011, America investment in Cambodia has been disappointing. Ranking below are 5 top investors officially put forth by Council for the Development of Cambodia. Please research for yourself for accuracy.
1) China $8.9 billions
2) South Korea $4.1 billions
3) Eropean countries $3.6 billions
4) Malaysia $2.6 billions
5) Taiwain $850 millions
I hate to bear the bad news but America rank number 10 with $285 millions dollars. This is pathetic. With very little involvement in Cambodia economic development, America wants to have the most saying in Cambodia's affair. That's arrogant. America is more concern about politic than economic, this is where China is winning the pack. Cambodia desperately need to rebuild from the ground up. It requires large sum of money. America hasn't done much except pointing out the bad side of Cambodia. America is wasting too much in demonizing China. Action speak much louder that word.
6:11 AM, investments are driven by the private sectors, not the American government. American investors are law-abiding citizens, they would not invest in a corrupt country where there is the lack for the rule of laws.
Once corruption is reduced and laws and regulations and the court system is properly put in place, they will come in drove. Just look at Japan, South Korea and Taiwan in the early 1950s and Western Europe (Germany etc) after World War II. They thrived because of American money which kick-started their economies.
Another word, all these money will all end in the hands of the corrupt officials under the ruling of Hun Sen.
Its better to save the money and use it for investment for your future until Cambodia is under a different government.
First you have to take a look at the current situation in the country then start asking questions and write them down.
What are our top priorities?
Where do you want our country to go within the next 5-10 years and beyond?
How can we manage all the successes?
When do we decide to choose which one to be on our side?
Why do we chose that country?
It is simple to just lay it down words for words the answers these questions, but in reality it does not work that way.
For example, a farmer only have 1 acre of land to produce corn that meet the global standard. He/She has to sit down and plan it all out how to get the land to produce good results.
The answers are very similar to the scenario described above. You must understand and know exactly what you want first before you make the moves. If you want to have super military power and high level technical expertise in the region, you must choose the US. If you want to develop agriculture sector and manufacturing, you must choose China. China has been a long time friend, so there is no heart feeling if you use the US to your benefits. However, Cambodian leaders must be very strong and able to stand up to any one with bad intention toward Cambodia. The country leader suppose to unite the nation as one, not breaking apart. That is the only solution to prevent neighboring countries from invading or stealing our lands or properties.
Part 1
At this point in time, the best country to protected Cambodia would be China. I would choose China any time over the United States regardless what was happening in the past. However, I think Cambodia need to learn to protect itself, rather then depend on a country as its back bones. Even though the United States is the richest and more powerful comparing to China, I view the United States as the distance water which is useless to extinguish the burning house. If we merely look at the border conflict with the neighboring Thailand, where as Thailand sees Cambodia as a low hanging fruit, too easy to pick on, the United States was pretty much playing mum’s the word. The United States did not show any clear leadership; therefore, being rich is one thing, but being incompetent is certainly something else which Cambodia dose not want to rely on. For the big brother, dragon of China has no need to challenge the U. S. in this matter. All it has to do is to relax, sit back, cross its legs, and drink ginseng tea; the Cambodia will crawl to its knees for support.
Also, The United States interests are much more important than its moral and its fundamental principles, and the U. S. often plays a double standard. The politicians often lecture the public and give the flimsy reasons to drum up for war, and the worst of the worst they call themselves pro-life. Let us look at the wars the United States had started, so that we can see things in different perspective. The United States was so eager to go to war with Iraq over the flimsy evidences of Weapons of Mass Destruction. However, during the Vietnam War the U. S. was the one who used chemical during the war. The U. S. was using Agent Orange in South East Asia. This chemical has polluted the ground waters as well as lands and rivers. Over 35 years after the war was ended, the casualty of the Vietnam War continued. Ten of thousand babies born with genetic defected each year. Today, I view The United States as war monger, which is will to bomb and to destroy any country that does not speak English in the name of democracy.
When it comes to Human Rights violation, American allies were terrible. Under Lon Nol regime, corruption is much worse in the comparison to what is happening in Cambodia today. The Lon Nol’s soldiers was not being paid as their top officers took most of the money, their morale was low as they went rampage shooting and looting stores, thread the restaurant owners, and refuse to pay for foods. Students were protesting all over the country against inflation which was about 50 percents increase per year. Cars were being turned upside and set ablaze. Students were looting and destroying stores and shops. At the border with Vietnam, the South Vietnamese troops was leaded by the commander Sourng Hok Than, were continued attacking and terrorizing Cambodian villagers include killing and rapping in which was happening before and after Prince Norodom Sihanouk was overthrow. This Human Rights violations were happened under Americans’ nose, but the U. S. as always mum the word, when it come to atrocity committed by its allies.
Part 2
Some people often view one killing is more legit than other. They even use the term ‘collateral damage’ as an excuse to justify for killing. I do not differentiate between the two, whether they were executed people in cold blood as the Khmer Rouges or as they were dropping bomb from above. It seems alright to convict the Khmer Rouges for murdered over a millions Cambodians, but it is not alright for Americans to take any responsibility over the secret-carpet bombing of Cambodia which leaded hundred of thousand Cambodians’ death.
China in the other hand is much different from the United States if we look at both in the economic and the political perspective. China is not as rich and militarily is not powerful as the U. S. and China reluctant to send troop to invade any country. China also had darkness period in history derived from the culture revolution to the Maoist communist. China was supporting the Khmer Rouge in its struggle against the corrupted Lon Nol regime which leads to the Killing Field. China did not take any responsibility over the Khmer Rouge killing machine, even though it was happening under their nose. Today, China is using its economic influence such trade and investments as way to modify the system in Cambodia toward its favor, and the United States seems to be too slow and does not has a grip to it.
I think, in order for United States to get an upper hand on Cambodia, The United States has to hold back the horses. Threading Cambodia with sanction or war would not work. However, by implement trade, investment, and cultural exchange are the better and the cheapest way to go. Majority of Cambodians are young and very vibrant. They love to learn English more than any language. They fall in love with American tradition. In the near future, if the U. S. plays it card right, Cambodia will stick to the palm of its hand.
It is too long to read. I hope people love it and hate it too.
I am a Cambodian American as well and I was joint with Lon Nol in 1970 to fight communist which is American enemy. Many of cambodian were killed because we believe in American, but today American do business with communist China and Vietnam. I'm almost 70 years old. Now I choose China for Cambodia friend. American cannot be trust.
I hope my short article will earn me some consolation place and prize from Khmerization !!
On odd days Cambodia should have China as her backer.
On even days she should have the USA.
On holidays she should rely squarely on her own Teuk Thnaot Ju which is the surest sign of her self-reliance!
US can say as a friend for Cambodia.
But China is a different friend. China is more like a big brother, who takes care his brother during the good and bad time.
The US can't trust Cambodia as a friend. You can always turn your back on the US and support China.
Just stick to China, at least you're being consistent.
China and America will go to war. Viet is forming alliances with the US and India. Since cambodia is always a few steps behind vietnam and the US seems to favor viet more than cambodia, I think cambodia should stick to her historical friend China because china is probably the only token to cambodia being freed from viet and the bias america.
I do really hope there will be a big war between China and Vietnam ONLY. Then China can squash Viets like a bugs and not withdraw like 1979 and let the Viets claimed victory. Even if the U.S and European sell Viets high tech weaponrys they still get squash like we squash our house bugs. U.S will try hard bluffing China from invading her new found Viet Congs friend, but at the end if the day. America will not risk WW III to helps VC.
1979 Viets China war. China destroyed several Viets army divisions and burn down many cities, then she withdraw leaving Viets and China hater to claim victory. If Viets get destroy Cambodia must wrestle loose from Viet Congs and we must not only take back Cambodia but also Kampuchea Krom. Gentlements IF this big war between Viets and China happen this is a real possibility that we could claim Kampuchea Krom back. What I worry also if we move our troops in Kampuchea Krom, we might not have sufficient strength to block Thai thief on our western border. THIS IS JUST A PIPE DREAM THAT I HOPING FOR. Very little chance of possibility that there is war between Viets and China. Viets is very clever she will abandon those islands ounce she knows she could loose all. I am not looking to see Vietnamese peoples killed. I wish there is other way to claim our provinces back.
One thousand years after the nuclear (nuk ku lar) war between US and China occurred,the look alike Baby Chinese Panda and the look alike Papa US Prairie Dog will compete again for world hegemony.
The southeast asian crickets will once more try to figure out who should they side with.
Khmerization, if you decided to publish my comment, please insert "It is true that America did not invest much in Cambodia, but..." to comment at 10:14 AM and add it to comment at 10:41 PM. Thanks.
For current regime in cambodia, what difference does it make, if china is paying good money for returning those poor chinese refugees HUN SEN will take it, when USA deported khmer refugees back to cambodia along with money
HUN SEN will take it, MONEY TALKED BULLSHIT WALKED.
If some thing happen between viet.and china
and cambodia is giving a chance to take control of kk.land, HUN SEN will have to consentrate on one thing, Teaching kk.people how to bribe and how to hide corrupted money.
How about NONE of the Above, but Khmer?
You can't pick and choose the way you wanted. You have to be wanted in the team also. It is not that simple.
If you look back in SE Asia history, then you can see that after WWII, Ho Chimin wanted to be on American side but America ignored the request !!!
The US always look at the situation at the time and to see what you can bring to the table. If you have nothing for the political gain then you are not wanted. It is a democratic system and it is depend on who is the president at the time.
China is a communist country, so the relationship is more stable and reliable than the US.
So, if you want long term and more stable relationship, you go with China.
If you want to benefit at the moment and given the fact that you are wanted by the US, then you go with the US. The key is, you have to be wanted !!!!!
For the US, the democrtcy is not that important. You can see yourself around the world. The US have relationship with all kind of Gov.(Arab countries for example).
You can ask more detail from Sam Rainsy about the US support. If he has full support from the US, he would not go around the Khmere/American neighborhood, who are living on food stamp and welfare, and ask for money !!!!!
it is not for Cambodia to decide, it is about do they want you to be on their side !!
China can give you more stable relationship.
For the US, it is depend who is the president at the time.
8:22 AM,
Bull shit!
Peking Duck
8:22 AM,
Hey, you are invading us here on Khmerization to abuse your language. Watch your mouth with your dirty language.
Are you Yuon/Viet pretending to be Chinese calling yourself Peking Duck?
Watch yourself and what you and your Yuon/Viet have done so clever to kill people like that?
You and your Yuon/Viet masters will never live in peace.
Hey Pal!
I think everyone comments is a status quo talking about which the supper power's country is better for our country to get along with.
Here is only my opinion that we (khmers) must connect with our own historical. And that we will be able to identify who is a real khmer'enemies of which is a Youn/Viet-cong and a Siem/Siam. But khmer who sold his/her conscience to the enemies is a treason. Those bad guys must have a brain washed or must get a death penalty.
In order for all of us to chose a Block of regime, I personally have just one simply question such as can we(khmers) be united or not?
Based on past history, khmer is always chasing each other among khmerthemselves. And if they think that they cannot beat up their opponent they will be looking for help from the neighbors' enemies.
Do not tell me wrong from right ! folks. You think khmer can be working or choosing khmer as their own boss instead a foreigner, Okay. Don't you think?
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