The Chinese Econonic Muscle: Will China let Cambodia down?

Will Cambodians rise up against Hun Sen?

While many countries see drastic decline in their economy, China basks in its economic growth. Thanks to the many companies in America and elsewhere which have sent their jobs to China and to other third world countries that directly/indirectly deal with the Chinese. China’s investments, social and economic interests in Cambodia are rapidly growing; on the other hand, for whatever reasons, the U.S seems to lack interests in doing serious businesses in Cambodia.

For China, Korea and Vietnam, Cambodia is still a great place to invest. This country still needs everything you can imagine—from A to Z. While other countries suffer economic downturn, Cambodia is still somewhere at the bottom of the pit and cannot go any lower than that; therefore, Cambodians don’t feel much difference and many of them think that what they have now is much better than what they had during the Pol Pot’s era. The world economic crises have little impact on their lives, so they are unlikely to risk them by using the so-called people’s power to topple their own government.

While many overseas Cambodians think the people in Cambodia need more freedom, democracy and justice, the majority of the people inside Cambodia and the world community think Cambodia is moving in the right direction. If the world community such as the United Nations is fooled by the Cambodian's government, then what can we say about the poor Khmer citizens?

While the oppositions and many of us think Hun Sen has been in power for too long, Hun Sen and his supporters laugh and throw it back at us by saying that the opposition’s leaders too have been in power for a long time. They argue that all past elections were conducted with the approval of the international community as they were free and fair. Hun Sen has been in power this long because of the electoral system and processes initially engineered by the United Nations. As long as such a system is in place Hun Sen has the right to be the candidate for the prime minister for his party and as long as his CPP wins the general election, Hun Sen will remain as Cambodia’s Prime Minister. We may not buy that argument, but the majority of the Khmer people seem to agree with Hun Sen and they don’t care about how long Hun Sen will rule Cambodia. In addition, the theater of confrontations with Thailand at the Khmer Temple of Preah Vihear, brings more creditability to Hun Sen and his government.

Like it or not, for many years the CPP has strengthened its infrastructures and grassroots to the point that they can control most of Cambodia’s population. They have the means to firmly grasp people heart and mind with titles, money and propaganda machines—i.e. entertainment industry, newspapers, radio and television programs.

Lastly, the oppositions (some are perceived as CPP's satellites) are divided, disorganized, and weak. They have no viable structures to elevate the people and country from the current state of being. Their moral characters and leadership-ability are not too far off from that of the CPP. As a result, Cambodians have little belief in their organizations.

Will Cambodians rise up against Hun Sen? The chance is slim to none.