PHNOM PENH: US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s trip to Cambodia aimed to mend fences with the country, long seen as a strong ally of China. Over the years, Cambodia’s ties with the United States have soured, particularly as China has increased its investment in the nation’s infrastructure during the tenure of former leader Hun Sen.
The United States has voiced concerns, particularly over China’s involvement in upgrading a key Cambodian naval base, which Washington fears could enhance China’s influence in the region. Austin, traveling from the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, arrived in Phnom Penh for a one-day visit to explore opportunities for bolstering bilateral defense relations.
During his visit, Austin met with both Hun Sen, who recently stepped down after nearly four decades in power, and Prime Minister Hun Manet, who succeeded his father.
“We discussed how the United States and Cambodia can strengthen our defense relationship in support of regional peace and stability,” Austin posted on X after meeting Hun Manet.
Both Austin and Hun Manet share a common background, having graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Carl Thayer, an expert on politics at Australia’s University of New South Wales, sees this visit as a turning point in US-Cambodia relations under Hun Manet’s leadership. Thayer believes that both sides are willing to soften their rigid stances to find common ground.
Hun Sen, now serving as Senate president, expressed agreement with Austin’s efforts to improve relations between the two nations, acknowledging the lack of trust that has existed. He emphasized the need for both countries to work towards rebuilding mutual trust, suggesting that narrowing differences, expanding cooperation, and restarting dialogue between defense officials could pave the way for improved relations.
Austin’s visit comes just days after Cambodia and China’s completion of their largest annual military exercises, known as Golden Dragon. This is significant as Cambodia had previously canceled similar joint exercises with US forces in 2017. Furthermore, China’s two warships visit to the Ream Naval Base in December has raised concerns in Washington, although Cambodian officials have denied any foreign military use of the base.
Ou Virak, a Cambodian political analyst, believes that the revival of joint military exercises could be a topic of discussion during Austin’s visit. Moreover, he said that Austin intends to send a message to Beijing, “saying this region is too important and China won’t have free rein”.
In Past, Washington has expressed strong criticism of Cambodia’s human rights record and a crackdown on political dissidents.
I spent a productive day in Cambodia for meetings with Prime Minister Hun Manet and other senior Cambodian officials.
We had substantive conversations about ways to strengthen U.S.-Cambodian defense ties, and I’m looking forward to further dialogue. pic.twitter.com/m8p1wMesT4
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) June 4, 2024
