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Cambodia sides with China on South China Sea dispute

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China key strategic partner of Cambodia, ASEAN: Cambodian PM

PHNOM PENH, April 4 -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, chair of 2012 ASEAN, said Wednesday China is a major strategic partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( ASEAN) and Cambodia.

Answering reporter's questions about the relations between ASEAN and China, the premier criticized some analysts who alleged that China and some ASEAN countries are preparing for a possible war.

"That is a completely wrong understanding, in contrast, the ASEAN leaders or ASEAN are all prepared to strengthen strategic partnership of ASEAN and China," he told a press conference after the conclusion of the 20th ASEAN Summit.

"Don't forget that ASEAN and China are the strategic partners and China is the ASEAN's largest trading partner," he said.

China has substantially helped ASEAN, he said, adding that annually China provides credit to ASEAN member states.

He recalled that during the ASEAN-China Summit in Indonesia last year, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao announced that China will grant ASEAN a credit of 10 billion U.S. dollars. Within the amount, 4 billion U.S. dollars is for concessional loans, and Cambodia has also received it for infrastructure development.

On Cambodia-China ties, Hun Sen said the two countries raised their relations of good neighbors, good friends and good partners to comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation in 2010.

He said China's loans to Cambodia are very important to develop roads, bridges, irrigation system, and electricity, which are the key elements to boost economic growth.

He noted that many Chinese investors are in Cambodia with their investments up to 9 billion U.S. dollars.

On some media reports that Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to Cambodia ahead of the ASEAN Summit was aimed to put pressure on Cambodia on the issue of South China Sea, the premier said that President Hu's visit was to further enhance Cambodia-China ties, not pertinent to the ASEAN Summit.

"During his visit here, Hu Jintao did not tell me that I have to do this or that; it is not in the practice of Chinese policy. I have been working with China for more than 20 years, I have never faced, never heard that any Chinese leaders ordered Cambodia to do this or that," he said.

Terming as "silly" media speculation that China had made Cambodia keep the South China Sea issue off the summit's agenda, Sen criticized those analysts, saying that they were "unaware of the procedures of ASEAN."

"There is no hindrance from China to work with ASEAN to solve the South China Sea issue. It cannot be solved with an outside country and Cambodia will resist any attempt by such a nation as well," he said, adding that economic ties between the two countries showed China's non-conditional nature in handling international relations.

He said China is a big country, but always respects the decision of other countries unlike some countries which cut assistance when Cambodia did not do as they wish.

"Cambodia is a small country, but it is welcomed by China, it is a great honor for us," he said.

Hun Sen said that during the visit of Hu Jintao, the two countries vowed to double their bilateral trade volume to 5 billion U.S. dollars in 2017 from 2.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2011.

"In the past, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and I vowed to push the two-way trade volume to 2.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2015, but just in 2011, we had achieved that target--it was four years earlier than the target," he said.

"We have seen the momentum of the bilateral trade between Cambodia and China, so the two countries decided to promote the bilateral trade to 5 billion in 2017."

"The development of China brings prosperity to all countries in ASEAN, the region and the world," said the premier.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Eastday-China key strategic partner of Cambodia, ASEAN: Cambodian PM



ASEAN Host Blasts Crazy Media

By Luke Hunt, The Diplomat

Leaders of the 10-nation ASEAN bloc have laid the final groundwork for the establishment of an integrated economic community by 2015, but rifts have emerged over how to handle Chinese hegemony following the 20th annual summit of the group.

As the summit was wrapped up, key documents were approved that covered workers' rights, drug initiatives and the overarching declaration of "One Community One Destiny" designed to pave a way for a cherished economic community encompassing about 500 million people.

Members also formally called on Western countries to lift sanctions against Burma following last weekend's by-elections that resulted in pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy (NLD) winning the vast majority of the 45 seats on offer.

However, China's growing assertiveness and its disputes over the Spratly and Paracel islands in the South China Sea, particularly with Vietnam and the Philippines, cast a shadow over the meeting, which had clearly angered Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Hun Sen, speaking at a post-summit press conference, was upset with suggestions that Cambodia was acting as China's unofficial proxy in a bloc that’s often at political loggerheads with Beijing. He then made a shrill attack on analysts and commentators who question the relationship between Phnom Penh and Beijing or suggest that a conflict between China and members of ASEAN over the Spratly's is possible, labeling them as crazy, lazy and stupid.

He referred to one analyst as a "bald headed doctor" who wrote badly and "should learn more about the processes of ASEAN" as he was "silly," "wrong thinking" and "bad thinking."

It was anything but the statesman-like performance expected of the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

He also warned journalists, including an international press corps of more than 100, to tell the truth.

"What I hate and am fed-up with is talk about Cambodia working for China and must be under some kind of influence. That is completely wrong," he said. "We are a country full of dignity. We do not practice opportunistic politics."

In saying this, he painted a gushing picture of China as a no-strings-attached and benign benefactor. He then made an extraordinary claim, saying that Beijing had even come to the rescue of Southeast Asian countries during the 1997-98 financial crisis. China, in most commentators' views, did nothing of the sort.

He also launched into a tirade on Cambodia's opposition political parties and chastised one international official who had wanted Cambodia to privatize its customs in return for aid.

"The Chinese friend never defines that I do this or that," he said. "We will continue our efforts to be better and better in our relationship with China."

China has invested almost $9 billion in Cambodia over recent years through direct aid, soft loans and other forms of financial assistance. Beijing has also taken out long-term leases on islands that are being developed for military purposes off Cambodia's southern coast. Hun Sen said he hoped to double Cambodia's trade with China to $5 billion by 2017.

However, it was a state visit by Chinese President Hu Jintao just days before this summit began that initially raised eyebrows among observers.

As a tribute, Phnom Penh was and still is festooned with Chinese flags and banners. And, in a park outside the Royal Palace - on perhaps the most expensive piece of real estate in the county - giant pictures have been hung on a billboard that leaves little doubt about Cambodia's close friendship with China.

In the center sits King Norodom Sihamoni, either side of him are Hu and his wife Liu Yongqing. They are flanked by the King's parents Sihanouk and Monique. The dedication struck some delegates and observers as somewhat unusual given Cambodia's independent role as chair of ASEAN for 2012.

"Cambodia cannot be bought," Hun Sen insisted.

During his official visit, Hu told his Cambodian counterparts that as ASEAN hosts they should not be in a hurry to finalize the Document on the Code of Conduct (DOC). The DOC is supposed to be a structured means of dialogue engagement among ASEAN members to avoid any conflict or deal with any confrontation before it escalates into something much worse in the South China Sea. But it hasn't been completed, and Beijing has made it known that it wants territorial disputes involving the Spratly's dealt with on a bilateral basis and not at a regional level.

Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have varying claims.

The Philippines managed to up the ante during the summit by urging a united front within ASEAN for handling China, and its President Benigno Aquino, told ASEAN members that the DOC must remain an internal, central ASEAN document.

His delegation then said there had been a "big disagreement" during one session, when ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan said China might be invited to take part in the drafting of the code.

One delegate said it would be difficult for ASEAN to find a consensus on any Chinese involvement.

"What we are objecting to is we don't want China to be invited in terms of the drafting and the decision making," he said, citing Cambodia as one country that was pushing China's involvement in the writing of the document.

ASEAN at present consists of Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Timor-Leste has been widely touted as the next member while Papua New Guinea has also indicated it would like to join the bloc.

One observer quipped after the conference: "There's no doubt now that China would also like to join ASEAN, but they're not welcome by many of us."

Many here have suggested that with Cambodia as host, however, that may not matter.

ASEAN Host Blasts Crazy Media


See how USA is demonizing Cambodia for siding with China just like they demonized Sri Lanka for siding with China. I bet soon USA will push for a UN resolution calling Cambodia a human rights abuser. When that happens, PLA stands ready to deploy to Cambodia to protect them against the evil predator USA. Syria, Iran, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Cambodia are all protected by the great Sino-Russian alliance against evil predatory USA!
 
See how USA is demonizing Cambodia for siding with China just like they demonized Sri Lanka for siding with China. I bet soon USA will push for a UN resolution calling Cambodia a human rights abuser. When that happens, PLA stands ready to deploy to Cambodia to protect them against the evil predator USA. Syria, Iran, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Cambodia are all protected by the great Sino-Russian alliance against evil predatory USA!

Looks like SinoChallenger is the supreme commander of the Chinese armed forces. He is ready to deploy them all over the world. :taz::bunny:
 
So make your own ASEAN with the Pinoys :rofl:


Well ASEAN has gone a long way until it is today, though it has made some great progress in economic cooperations recently, but when it comes to politics, it is still unable to act united because of different interests. Like the European Union, this process will take a time until it will speak as a bloc.
VN has realised that China has used money to make some countries to act on its behalf. Vietnam will draw conclusion.
 
Well ASEAN has gone a long way until it is today, though it has made some great progress in economic cooperations recently, but when it comes to politics, it is still unable to act united because of different interests. Like the European Union, this process will take a time until it will speak as a bloc.
VN has realised that China has used money to make some countries to act on its behalf. Vietnam will draw conclusion.

It's united but it does not mean it should follow viets and pinoys.
 
Vietnam and the Philippines are just like the French

Do you remember when the French took a hard line against the important role of the United States in NATO and withdrew in 1966?

Similarly, ASEAN has a serious problem with the hard line stance by Vietnam and the Philippines against China.

The obvious solution is for Vietnam and the Philippines to voluntarily leave ASEAN. Otherwise, I suggest ASEAN kick Vietnam and the Philippines out of the club.

China has provided $25 billion in aid to ASEAN. We know Cambodia and Laos are in the pro-China camp. We need to find out who else is in the China camp. China should cut off all aid money and trade preferences for any ASEAN troublemaker.

Also, no more building of Chinese dams in troublemaking ASEAN countries like the Philippines. Let them sit in the dark.

----------

China unveils $25B in ASEAN aid, credit - UPI.com

"Apr 12, 2009 – China will extend $25 billion in aid and credit to members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, officials revealed Sunday."

Amid tension, Philippines thanks China for dam project

"Philippine President Benigno Aquino on Monday thanked China for funding a 5.3-billion-peso (US$127 million) water improvement project in Angat Dam and underscored the importance of cooperation and respect among neighbouring nations."
 
Cambodian friends can't do balancing in foreigner affairs, Mr. Hong palayed his role very badly, just showed the truth that money from China did it.
It's no good for both China and Cambodia, when they think it was victory on Phi and Viet. Indonesia does his policy better.
 
20z8ilx.jpg


Team China
Cambodia
Thailand
Laos

Neutral
Singapore
Malaysia
Indonesia
Brunei
Burma

Team America
Philippines
Vietnam

Singapore dominated by its 75% Chinese population naturally will sway towards China's camp. Burma also enjoys a good relationship with China and so does Indonesia. Now just need to gain better influence with Malaysia and Brunei and let Philippines and Vietnam continue to isolate themselves.
 
20z8ilx.jpg


Team China
Cambodia
Thailand
Laos

Neutral
Singapore
Malaysia
Indonesia
Brunei
Burma

Team America
Philippines
Vietnam

Singapore dominated by its 75% Chinese population naturally will sway towards China's camp. Burma also enjoys a good relationship with China and so does Indonesia. Now just need to gain better influence with Malaysia and Brunei and let Philippines and Vietnam continue to isolate themselves.

You got some mistakes:

What do you think that Laos is located in "Team China"? Laos is the brother of Vietnam.

Why does Vietnam lies in the "Team America" while Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia does not lie in this group? They have closer relations with the U.S., especially Singapore, Thailand.

Why Myanmar does not lie in the "Team China"?

I think Vietnam and Philippines lie in the "Team with the Justice and UNCLOS1982 supported"
 
20z8ilx.jpg


Team China
Cambodia
Thailand
Laos

Neutral
Singapore
Malaysia
Indonesia
Brunei
Burma

Team America
Philippines
Vietnam

Singapore dominated by its 75% Chinese population naturally will sway towards China's camp. Burma also enjoys a good relationship with China and so does Indonesia. Now just need to gain better influence with Malaysia and Brunei and let Philippines and Vietnam continue to isolate themselves.

Team of china is in your avatar, son of Bo Xilai. Children of Leadership China's went to America team to get US citizenships. :rofl:
 
See how USA is demonizing Cambodia for siding with China just like they demonized Sri Lanka for siding with China. I bet soon USA will push for a UN resolution calling Cambodia a human rights abuser. When that happens, PLA stands ready to deploy to Cambodia to protect them against the evil predator USA. Syria, Iran, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Cambodia are all protected by the great Sino-Russian alliance against evil predatory USA!

lol Are you speaking about the same Russia that is on side with Vietnam on SCS and attacked your men recently ? :lol: Where was China when India attacked Pakistan ? Despite US support , Chinese were motionless :P You can do nothing except protesting if US attacks Iran or Syria . Its Russia who does actual action while you see . I can give examples :tongue:
 

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