Image Courtesy: EurAsian Times
Issue Brief: 2/2025
C3S launched its Issue Brief initiative. An issue brief is a summary of the knowledge surrounding an issue or a problem. It summarizes the issue by giving clear, concise, and complete information describing all facets of a particular issue including a detailed illustration in the form of images, data, and facts. It also includes recommendations for action and predictions on the future course of an issue.
Abstract:
The study makes an effort to analyze Cambodia's increasing dependence on China and its consequent geopolitical ramifications. It discusses how that dependence has been turned into Cambodian strategic actions vis-a-vis dependency theory. The paper traces the historical development of Cambodia-China relations, pointing out several milestones from Cold War alliances and Khmer Rouge days up to diplomatic changes resulting after the Paris Peace Agreements.Â
In the foreground stands China's strategic investments in the Techo Funan Canal and the Ream Naval Base, which pose great fears to Cambodian sovereignty and China's deepening military footprint in the Indo-Pacific. The paper describes how regional actors like Vietnam and Thailand have reacted in direct or indirect ways to counter China while other global actors like the US have responded through sanctions and increased security cooperation with ASEAN countries.
As this growing dependency of Cambodia on Chinese financial and military support raises crucial questions: Is it a strategic advantage or rather forcing Cambodia into a cycle of entrapment? The findings highlight the increasing rivalry in Southeast Asia, deepened regional security concerns, and changing power dynamics that could alter the future of the region.
Read the full Issue Brief at this link:
