Worker influx, affinity with China fuel anti-Vietnam sentiment in Cambodia

A Cambodian monk leads an anti-Hanoi demonstration in front of the Vietnamese Embassy in Phnom Penh on Oct. 6. (Manabu Sasaki)

By MANABU SASAKI/ Correspondent

PHNOM PENH--A succession of anti-Vietnam protests here highlights growing anger over a border issue coupled with an influx of cheap labor from Cambodia's powerful neighbor.

Anti-Hanoi sentiment has been gathering steam for some time. In the latest protest, held Oct. 6, dozens of monks and demonstrators assembled in front of the Vietnamese Embassy in Phnom Penh around noon.

“The Vietnamese government must apologize (for depriving us of our territories),” the demonstrators shouted, before setting fire to a Vietnamese flag.

There is a widely-held sentiment among Cambodians that Vietnam has no right to claim the Mekong River Delta region. Recently though, low-wage factory workers have also begun participating in the rallies.

“Due to the influx of Vietnamese laborers, we are currently forced to work for low wages or migrate to Thailand to seek jobs,” said a man who works in a textile factory.

Pro-China Cambodians have also participated in the protests. A motorbike taxi driver, who joined the Oct. 6 demonstration, said his affinity with China drove him to take part in the rally. He expressed anger at Hanoi over its dispute with Beijing over territory in the South China Sea.

“(China) is supporting our country’s economic growth,” he said.

Vietnam's Foreign Ministry has called on Phnom Penh to take steps to halt the campaign against Hanoi.

By MANABU SASAKI/ Correspondent