A Change of Guard

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Monday 20 February 2012

China and America: Which country should Cambodia choose to be its protector?

A few days ago, I put forward a question to readers to write a full length article, titled “Which country, China or America, should Cambodia choose to be its backer?”, to describe about the benefits that Cambodia would get for being the closest ally of either China or America. Many readers responded positively by debating in a civilized manner. Here I have chosen three full length articles to publish in the main page of Khmerization blog, one is in support of America, while the other two are in support of China. Each writer has presented very interesting views, so please enjoy reading it.Khmerization

Anonymous said...

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 that 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 down 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 corrupt 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 rich 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.

Currently, many Cambodians believe that China has aided in the economic growth of Cambodia on a grand scale, while thinking that America had abandoned Cambodia altogether. This is a misconception because the current Cambodian government is actively publicizing China's investments on a grand scale, while at the same time 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 that any goods exported from Cambodia to America will pay very little taxes/tariffs. And as a result of this status, many foreign companies had invested in Cambodia, mainly in 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 hand, America only exported less than $60 million to Cambodia.

By contrast, Chinese investments are not as beneficial to Cambodia as it seemed. Many Chinese projects are paid for 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 that our children and grandchildren 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 worth around $160 million annually, 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 had sold about $800 million worth of goods to Cambodia, but had only bought about $160 million worth of goods from Cambodia.

It is true that America did not invest much in Cambodia, but investments are driven by the private sectors, not by 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 are 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 have thrived because of American money which kick-started their economies.

In conclusion, with the pros and cons above, I would let all readers make their own judgment as to which country, China or America, would make the best friend and be the best backer of Cambodia.
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Anonymous said...

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 heading to within the next 5-10 years and beyond?
How can we manage all the successes?
When do we decide to choose which country to be on our side?
Why do we choose 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 to 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 country with bad intention toward Cambodia. The country’s leaders are supposed to unite the nation as one, not breaking it apart. That is the only solution to prevent neighboring countries from invading or stealing our lands or properties.

At this point in time, the best country to protect 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 than depend on a other countries as its backbones. Even though the United States is the richest and more powerful country compared to China, I view the United States as the distant water which is useless to extinguish a faraway burning house. If we merely look at the border conflict with neighboring Thailand, where as Thailand sees Cambodia as a low hanging fruit, too easy to pick on, the United States was pretty much playing the mum’s 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 does 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 sit back, relax, cross its legs and drink ginseng tea, then 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 are the ones that called themselves pro-life. Let us look at the wars the United States had started, so that we can see things in a 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 had used chemical agent during the war: that is the U. S. was using Agent Orange in South East Asia. This chemical agent has polluted the ground waters as well as lands and rivers. Over 35 years after the war has ended, the casualty of the Vietnam War continued. Ten of thousand of babies were born with genetic defects each year. Today, I view The United States as warmonger, which is willing 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 comparing to what is happening in Cambodia today. Lon Nol’s soldiers were not being paid properly, as their top officers took most of the money, their morale was low as they went rampage shooting and looting stores, threatening the restaurant owners and refusing to pay for foods. Students were protesting all over the country against inflation which has increased about 50 percent increase annually. Cars were being turned upside down and set ablaze. Students were looting and destroying stores and shops. At the border with Vietnam, the South Vietnamese troops were led by a commander named Sourng Hok Than who continued to attack and terrorize Cambodian villagers, including killing and raping, which was happening even before and after the overthrow of Prince Norodom Sihanouk. These Human Rights violations were happening under Americans’ nose, but the U. S. has always mum the word when it come to atrocity committed by its allies.

Some people often view one killing is more legitimate than the other. They even use the term ‘collateral damage’ as an excuse to justify for their killings. I do not differentiate between the two, whether they were executing people in cold blood as the Khmer Rouges did or as they were dropping bombs from above. It seems it is alright to indict and convict the Khmer Rouges for murdering over a million Cambodians, but it is not alright to indict Americans over the secret carpet-bombing of Cambodia which led to hundreds of thousands Cambodians’ death.

China, on 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 as powerful militarily as the U. S. and China is always reluctant to send troops to invade another country. China also had a darkness period in its history, which had derived from the cultural revolution of the Maoist communist. China had supported the Khmer Rouge in its struggle against the corrupt Lon Nol regime which led to the Cambodian Killing Fields. China did not take any responsibility over the Khmer Rouge killings of the Khmer people, even though they were happening under its nose. Today, China is using its economic influence, such trade and investments as a 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 on it.

I think, in order for United States to get the upper hand on Cambodia, The United States has to hold back the horses. Threatening Cambodia with sanctions or wars would not work. However, by implementing trades, investments, and cultural exchanges are the better and cheapest way to go. The majority of Cambodians are young and very vibrant. They love to learn English more than any languages. They fall in love with American traditions. In the near future, if the U. S. plays its cards 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.
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Anonymous said...

America’s foreign policy was inconsistent. 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 communists. For Cambodia, it was a devastating blow. It meant victory for the communist Khmer Rouge regime which Cambodia had fought so hard against. The aftermath was genocide of nearly 2 millions Cambodians at the hands of the Khmer Rouge. If America stayed to finish the job like it was supposed to, 2 millions Cambodian lives didn't have to die and Cambodia doesn't have to start over from scratch. This was America’s greatest mistake, a failure to protect her allies and her interests. The consequences were the great costs of millions of Cambodian lives. Many Cambodian are very resentful of America for this. At the beginning, Cambodia was neutral, one thing led to another. She was dragged into America's war in Vietnam. At the end, Cambodia lost the most. America must take the responsibility to rebuild Cambodia.

Since China also had its dirty hands in Cambodia, China must take some responsibility, but China is now honoring that trust by helping Cambodia pick herself back up. Currently, Cambodia’s economic progress has happened due to the involvements of China. On the contrary, America has been very shortcoming as far as helping to rebuild Cambodia is concerned. There are rules and guidelines for the reformation for Cambodia to follow in order to receive any aid. For Cambodia, who has just woken up from death, there is very little time for that. So, turning to China and staying under China's wing is a necessary choice for Cambodia to rebuild her economy, infrastructures, etc.

Maybe someone could prove me wrong on this. Statistically since 1994 to mid 2011, America’s investments in Cambodia have been very 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 billion
2) South Korea $4.1 billion
3) European countries $3.6 billion
4) Malaysia $2.6 billion
5) Taiwan $850 million

I hate to bear the bad news, but America ranked number 10 with only $285 million dollars of investments in Cambodia. This is pathetic. With very little involvements in Cambodia’s economic development, America wants to have the most say in Cambodia's affairs. That's arrogant. America is more concerned about politics than economics. This is where China is winning the pack. Cambodia desperately needs to rebuild itself 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 time in demonizing China. Action speaks much louder that word.

11 comments:

Khmerization said...

Dear Readers,

Please show respect to one another and debate in a civilised manner. Any comments deemed offensive will be deleted. Thank you.

Khmerization

Anonymous said...

How about Khmer chooses itself to be its own protectors?

Yes, I understand that you can't help but be under the influence of world's dominating powers but self-reliance should be your top priority. A mommy and daddy mentality will do you more harm than good when your mommy and daddy won't be around anymore.

Anonymous said...

guys,

Leave it to the SME. I chose for all of you. So at ease and disengaged, roger!!!

Anonymous said...

both.....China, Russia, USA....so Cambodia doesn't alienated anyone of them....=100/3=33.33333333%, treat each of 33.33% equal to the other two so they don't feel left out of any converstion....or threathen...by the others....

With that, Cambodia should be safe....

Anonymous said...

I meant all

All 3...China, Russia, USA....so Cambodia doesn't alienated anyone of them....=100/3=33.33333333%, treat each of 33.33% equal to the other two so they don't feel left out of any converstion....or threathen...by the others....

With that, Cambodia should be safe....

Anonymous said...

@ 1:06AM, "Leave to the SME. ".

Who would that be? You? This is free politics, and there's no such a thing called SME.

Anonymous said...

5:34 AM,please never mind 1:06 AM,s/he is just an attention grabber!
I guess SME = Severe Myoclonic Epilepsy ! There are more than 250 other definitions for SME in the Acronym Dictionary.But whatever SME of 1:06 AM are fitted in, s/he just the mediocre one!

Anonymous said...

While all the discussion is very passionate and very well intended, remember that the government in charge is the CPP. They alone have the power to choose who they want to align with. We're just a little cockroaches, what can we do? All brave talk won't make any difference unless you return home and do something. You know you'll disappear the moment you step off the airport.

Anonymous said...

i think without china. there will be no more asian look or genes. we asian will probably look like french or all europe or middle east. and worship jesus christ or turn to islam.we asian are doom and buddhism will just in history book. but of course these doesnt matter to some as long wealth is within reach. which one you prefer to look like or belief?
? look like khmer or look like french, buddhism or christian? if this doesnt matter then why cared what side you are on?

Anonymous said...

We don't want to have big brother and will not select one of them.
First we should work hard, trust and believe ourselves.

Anonymous said...

China would be a better benefit to cambodia. After all china became powerful due to a khmer prince advice. China never destored cambodia in any why. It was the khmer seperation of greed and power help destory cambodia..America only use and abuse..no help from americans..they give u $1 in return they ask you to give more....America help supplies the KR and Khmer republic. China only supplied the KR..they chose one side to help benefit the country, but it didn't happen due to many spies and the KR split into viet KR or KHmer KR..