Chinese ambassador Wang Wenbin (left) and foreign minister Sok Chenda Sophea shake hands during their meeting in Phnom Penh on August 8. Foreign ministry
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sok Chenda Sophea and Chinese ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin will sign a $2 million agreement on the cooperation projects of the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) Special Fund on September 5 at the ministry.
“Cambodia will receive [the allocation] for eight projects covering tourism, mine action, agriculture, rural development, promotion of MLC awareness, regional economic enhancement, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), capacity building and flood risk management,” the ministry said in a September 3 press release.
It said the MLC Special Fund has financed about 90 projects in the country over the past seven years, illustrating the commitment of Cambodia and China to building a community with a shared future of peace, prosperity, and sustainable development for all MLC countries.
Ek Bunly, a researcher at the Cambodian Centre for Regional Studies (CCRS), noted that China’s recent actions demonstrate its efforts to position itself as a responsible and influential actor in the development of the Mekong River.
He said the move continues to be well-received by Mekong countries, including Cambodia. He added that the financial assistance provided through the fund will undoubtedly help boost key sectors such as tourism, agriculture and rural development.
Bunly explained that China’s investment in the Mekong region not only strengthens its reputation but also enhances its soft power within ASEAN.
He added that by fostering a positive perception in the Mekong, China strategically strengthens its broader image across Southeast Asia, which could yield favourable outcomes when addressing more contentious issues, such as the South China Sea disputes.
“The cultivation of goodwill in the Mekong region may indirectly bolster China’s diplomatic standing within ASEAN, providing leverage in broader regional dynamics.
“There is little doubt that the MLC Special Fund will further enhance China’s influence in the Mekong Basin. If Beijing continues to sustain and capitalise on this momentum, it is likely that perceptions in Southeast Asia may tilt increasingly towards China over other global powers,” he said.
Bunly believes, however, that a paradox arises in China’s regional strategy, saying that while in the Mekong, China projects a cooperative and development-focused image, actively engaging in dialogue and providing substantial developmental support, its behaviour in the South China Sea paints a different picture.
“From the perspectives of nations like the Philippines and Vietnam, China’s actions in that maritime region appear more assertive, if not aggressive.
“Although this dual approach might serve China’s interests in the short term, its long-term success hinges on the challenge of ensuring that ASEAN member states perceive China favourably not just in the Mekong, but across the broader geopolitical landscape,” he told The Post on September 4.
“Achieving such coherence is crucial for China to be viewed as a non-aggressive power in Southeast Asia over the long term,” he added.
In an August 8 press release, the ministry said that during a meeting the same day with Wang, Chenda Sophea stated that the ministry stood ready to work closely with Wang and the Chinese embassy to contribute to further promoting Cambodia-China bilateral relations.
At the meeting, Chenda Sophea expressed appreciation for the ongoing development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations, which covers almost all areas.
“[They] discussed the further strengthening of the ironclad friendship and deepening of diamond cooperation to contribute to building a high-quality, high-level and high-standard Cambodia-China Community with a Shared Future,” the release said.
