Diplomats travel from country to country to support their foreign policy and build relationships and I don’t see anything about this trip that would make it more notable than this routine diplomatic function.
China has already invested so much in Cambodia and I think this trip is just recognition of this investment. I would expect this trip will also probably include some diplomatic engagement regarding Cambodia’s border dispute with Thailand and I would not be surprised if part of the trip is to explore ways China may assist Cambodia at least through increased non-military cooperation.
China has significant interests in both countries resolving the conflict in a peaceful way and to this end the trip will likely be an opportunity to cool tensions.
YOUK CHHANG
Director
Documentation Center of Cambodia
22 April 206
